Chapter 5: The Witch of Ink, the Conscientious Fortuneteller

This strange marathon was ultimately won by Elaina.

Because Hilxi and Saya ran out of magic power and had to stop to rest, they only resumed training once their magic had recovered.

“Next is the spin! You have to use your shifting center of gravity to draw a beautiful arc!”

“Then, sudden stops and sudden starts—after forcing your whole body to stop the broomstick, kick off the air to dash forward!”

“After that, aerial separation. Let go of your broomstick in midair, then use magic to summon it back. If anything goes wrong, I’ll come save you, so don’t be afraid to fly!”

Under Elaina’s careful guidance and personal demonstrations, Hilxi and Saya improved rapidly. But to Hilxi’s astonishment, Saya was progressing even faster than she was!

I’m supposed to be a magic prodigy, aren’t I?! How could I be surpassed like this?

Maybe it was her pride or competitive spirit acting up, but when Hilxi tried the aerial separation, she couldn’t summon the broomstick back in time.

Oh no!

Her heart was racing, the rush of wind stinging her cheeks as she plummeted at incredible speed.

An uncontrollable scream tore from her lips—

Just as she was panicking, she landed with a thud on something.

Or rather, she was caught.

Opening her eyes, she saw Elaina-san’s adorable, smiling face right in front of her.

“Whew~ That scared me to death, I thought I’d end up as a pancake!”

“I told you, I’d come save you if there was any danger. No need to worry.”

Shouldn’t you at least say thank you first?

Elaina was flying on her broomstick, holding Hilxi in a princess carry, making Hilxi’s cheeks flush a faint red.

“Ahem, my legs are a bit weak. Elaina-san, let’s land first.”

“Okay.”

Very soon, they touched down, and Saya flew over.

She was just about to ask in concern if everything was alright, but when she opened her mouth, what came out was—

“Hey! Hilxi-san! Get off Elaina-san right now!”

“……”

That’s the only thing you care about?

Under her orange-platinum hair, blown into a messy tangle by the wind, Hilxi’s expression was less than beautiful.

So, out of spite, she wrapped her arms around Elaina-san’s fair neck, pressing herself even closer:

“No way, I’m scared of heights and still can’t stand steady~ Please hold me just a little longer, Elaina-san~”

“……”

“……”

Taken advantage of again.

Elaina had the sudden urge to just let go and drop Hilxi to the ground.

But that would be too unladylike.

“Ah! Get off, now!”

As expected, Saya, riding her broomstick, flew over in a huff, forcibly pried Hilxi from Elaina’s arms, and flung her onto the broomstick behind her with rather rough movements.

“Ugh… That hurt, Saya-san! You did that on purpose!”

Sitting behind Saya on the broomstick, Hilxi rubbed her sore shoulder in protest, then placed her hands on Saya’s neck, pretending to be angry:

“Wanna see if I’ll strangle you!”

“I’ll just fly up high before you can! If you want to be turned into a splatter, go ahead!”

“…Elaina-san will save me anyway.”

“No, I won’t.”

“…No love at all.”

After their squabble, the two resumed training.

After all, if they wanted to become Apprentice Witches, there was much more to learn than just riding a broomstick.

Next, they spent two days honing every aspect of broomstick flying, until their skills were almost on par with Elaina’s.

Or so she said—though it felt a bit modest. Even if Elaina looked like a little kid, underage, or maybe just underdeveloped, she was still a Witch. Not so easy to catch up to.

Then, they spent two more days learning Wind Magic from Elaina.

Since Hilxi had previously replicated the Wind Blade, controlling wind was relatively easy for her.

But Saya was a different story—she hadn’t made any progress at all.

Why was that?

“Elaina-san, maybe don’t stand right behind Saya. She looks really nervous.”

Leaning against a lush tree, Hilxi called out to Elaina, who was standing behind Saya not far away, teaching her hands-on.

“Huh? Really?” Elaina seemed to realize something.

“No, not at all, I’m not nervous at all!” Saya glared at Hilxi, who just pretended not to notice.

“Then, Saya-san, practice here with Hilxi-san. I’ll go look for my badge again.”

“…Alright.” Saya nodded, pursing her lips slightly.

During this period, Elaina would often search for her extremely precious Badge, and of course, Hilxi—whose sense of justice (read: obsession with money) was strong—would help look as well.

She was very diligent, sometimes searching for over an hour at a time.

Even Elaina was touched by her efforts, comforting her occasionally.

To an outsider, it might have seemed as if Hilxi was the one who’d lost her badge.

Not that she had one, though.

But it seemed fate didn’t favor the diligent. Unfortunately, she still hadn’t found even a single hair.

“So annoying…”

Hilxi scratched her orange-platinum hair and muttered to Saya, who was practicing Wind Magic nearby: I’m going out for a walk, then left.

Saya just glanced at her and said nothing.

Strolling down the main street, Hilxi pinched her chin in thought, pondering a solution.

Searching like this won’t work. Maybe I need a little superstition.

So, she turned into a nearby cool, quiet alley and slipped into a shop.

“My, a customer to… cough, I mean, a customer’s arrived!”

Inside the dim little room, a Witch in a gorgeous, mysterious robe appeared before Hilxi. She had long, pale purple hair and amber eyes—looking quite competent.

But the words she almost let slip as she welcomed Hilxi made her want to turn and leave.

Is this a scammer? It has to be, right?

She patted her wallet in her pocket, feeling the urge to run.

But in the end, she didn’t leave.

“You must be the Witch of Ink, Yedo-sama? I’m Hilxi. I’d like you to divine the location of an item.”

“Ah, yes, that’s me. Divination, huh? Hahaha, I’m very good at that!”

With that, the Witch of Ink took her seat at the round table in the center of the room and gestured for Hilxi to sit.

Once Hilxi sat down, she even poured her a drink of something unknown. Hmm…seems like coffee.

Wait, you’re a Witch, I’m a Witch—why are you serving me coffee?

This overly warm service made her feel a bit uneasy.

“It’s very good coffee, drink it while it’s hot,” said Yedo, smiling.

“Uh…maybe let’s get to business first.”

“Alright.”

No need to be this agreeable… it feels weird.

Clearing her throat, Hilxi stated her request:

“I have a friend, she’s also a Witch like you.”

“Oh? Are you sure this friend isn’t you?”

“No, and please don’t interrupt me…”

“Sorry.”

No need to apologize…

Hilxi’s lips twitched. After composing herself, she continued:

“My friend lost her Star Crest by accident. It has her title—Ashen Witch, Elaina—so I came here to ask you to divine the badge’s whereabouts.”

“I see, so this Elaina isn’t you after all.”

Is that really your focus?

“Well, that’s the situation. I’ve heard you’re beautiful, generous, humble, and have superb skills and an excellent reputation, so I spent quite some time coming here to ask for your help.”

Hope the price isn’t too high… Hilxi didn’t say that last part out loud.

“Oh my, is that so? Hahaha! I didn’t even know I was that amazing!”

“As they say, ‘the onlooker sees more than the player’—that’s you.”

“Mm~ I like what you’re saying. Alright, let’s get started!”

“Much appreciated.”

Next, the Witch of Ink produced a Crystal Ball from who knows where, placed her left hand on it, picked up her Magic Wand in her right, closed her eyes, and chanted words Hilxi couldn’t understand.

Is this part of the ritual?

Hilxi wondered silently.

If only I could observe her for ten minutes… Divination magic—I’m really interested in it.

But no luck. I can’t just force her, right?

That would be terrible. No, absolutely terrible.

With a pop, the Crystal Ball lit up, illuminating both Yedo and Hilxi’s faces.

“It’s done. I already know where the badge is.”

Whoa… that’s amazing! That’s it?

Please, let me hold your hand for ten minutes.

“So, where is it?”

Hilxi’s eyes sparkled with expectation, looking quite cute.

But the Witch of Ink said nothing, simply smiling at her.

“……”

Hilxi pouted, then reluctantly fished a silver coin from her pocket.

Still no response.

Two coins… three… five.

Finally, the Witch of Ink spoke, but what she said made Hilxi’s veins bulge with anger.

“A Witch Badge is very important. I want… ten gold coins!”

“Why don’t you just rob me!”

She blurted it out instinctively.

“Honest business, fair prices, never a scam.”

“What a fair price! Even if you sold me, you wouldn’t get ten gold coins!”

“If you’re for sale, I’ll buy you for ten gold coins.”

“……”

Wicked rich people! Go to hell!

Clatter.

The sound of coins hitting the table rang out as Hilxi poured out all her silver coins from the pouch, then said in utter resignation:

“This is all I’ve got, please at least give me a clue.”

“Seems your friend is very important to you. I’m touched.”

“So, can it be free?”

“Nope.”

“……”

Just as Hilxi was at a loss for words, the Witch of Ink finally gave her a clue:

“It was picked up by a girl.”

“If you say her name, that’d make things easier.”

The Witch of Ink smiled wordlessly—her meaning clear.

Add more money.

Hilxi was speechless.

She glanced at the scattered silver coins, her eyes moving as she reached out her hand…

Smack!

The Magic Wand batted her hand away. The Witch of Ink smiled and said:

“That’s my money, Hilxi-san~”

Damn it! I’m not satisfied—my precious money…

Hilxi had wanted to throw some trash talk, but realizing that was asking for trouble, she let it go.

“At least the money pouch is still mine.”

“Mhm~”

“……”

Taking the pouch, Hilxi left in silence.

When she entered, her wallet was half full; now, it was empty.

Hopefully, the result would be worth more than the payment. Otherwise, it was a huge loss.

But Elaina-san didn’t seem rich either… Oh no, what do I do if I regret it now?

At this very moment, Hilxi—walking back—still didn’t know that, on the other side, Elaina had gotten precise information for just one silver coin.