"Morning, handso—kya!"
It's too early for this…
I cover my face with a blanket, trying to block out as much of the luminescent light coming from the sole open window in the room.
I turn myself to face the wall, intending on going back to sleep.
"Hey, how could you just do that and not even apologize, you heartless monster?! After everything I've done to take care of you, this is how you treat me? The nerve!"
Stop shaking me!
The witch rocked me back and forth, knocking my drowsiness away.
My dear, dear sleep…
I give her a cold glare, trying to express my dissatisfaction.
She did not care, or maybe she did not even notice. Either way, she just continued to squeeze my arms.
"Also, when will you stop pushing me off the bed every time you wake up? It's really annoying ya' know?!"
I let her vent out, her words entering one ear and out the other.
It has been a month(?) since our raid on the Rock Serpent's hideout. My body was mostly fine, so I did not have to spend too much time bedridden. Despite my insistence, the witch refused to let me go outside the cabin unless I was at full working condition.
The witch unclutched me as she seemingly ran out of breath.
"Fuh~" She looked up at me. "Breakfast is ready, come downstairs after you wash up."
Then, she left the room.
With a big, long sigh, I got off the creaky bed.
I opened the dresser and put on the only shirt within it, like usual.
*thunk*
Closing the door behind me, I made my way downstairs.
The kitchen greeted me as soon as I arrived downstairs, a delicious aroma wafting in the air.
The witch, wearing a blue apron that accentuated her figure, was busy stirring some kind of soup in the cauldron that she always cooked in.
She gestured with her left hand, pointing to a cabinet to her side.
I follow, taking two bowls and placing them on the counter. Like usual, she poured some kind of soup in them.
I brought them over to the dining table, making sure not to drop any.
Don't wanna start THAT again
I place the two bowls beside a wooden spoon that was already set on the table.
"How's your magic circuits?" The witch asked me as she ate one spoonful of soup.
I do the same and push mana into my arms. The circuit-like array of black lines burnt my skin, along with a low glow that was overshadowed by the lighting coming from the lamps in the room.
Pretty good, I guess…
She gave a satisfied a nod and went back to eating her meal.
I really wish there was more flavor to this
My mind wandered to the first of my imposed isolation.
The witch, unlike before, refused to give me a healing potion — or a healing stew, as she liked to call it — hindering my recovery. She went on and on about how potions should not be abused and should only be used in case of emergencies. I asked her what that meant—or, at least looked like I did. By her lack of a reaction, I would guess that she did not understand my intention.
Time passed on as the witch refused to speak any more. Throughout our month spent together, one could say that she had warmed up to me. One could also say that because of that, the odd feeling that she is hiding something from me has been getting more and more visible.
…
As I was washing the dishes, the witch approached me in her casual wear. Just a shirt and a pair of shorts.
"You should be fine in a couple of days or so, until then, you should focus on honing your elemental aptitude. I saw the way you used your element to make a barrier to protect yourself. It was weak, but it had potential. If you hone it enough, it could become an indispensable trump card."
I give her a simple nod as I scrubbed the mystery soup stains on the wooden bowls.
Then, she was quiet again. Silence loomed in the air once more, and I bet it felt awkward for those without anything to do.
"Aaaaarrrgggh!! This is so annoying. Why do you have to be so awkward every single time? Couldn't you like, I don't know, at least give me something to work with?"
What can I do? I'm speechless...
She placed her palm on her forehead, then sighed. Glad she understands.
She stammered for a bit, her eyes darting everywhere. After a bit of what I assume to be chasing an imaginary fly with her eyes, her gaze landed on the wooden bowl I was washing, locked on.
Ah crap
"Hey, how long are you going to wash that?" She asked, a hint of an accusation present in her voice. "You must have been washing that thing for like, five minutes by now. Is it really that dirty? If there's some kind of irremovable stain there, you better tell me. It could be a monster that I forgot to purify before cooking the soup. If so, then we may need to quarantine the entire place."
What?!
I quickly throw the bowl away.
"… Oh, looks like it's just my imagination." She said with a mischievous grin on her face.
Damn witch…
Ever since our fight with the giant serpent, the witch has been more than a little naughty. In fact, she had been so mischievous that one could compare her to a child. And I, being the proper adult, has chosen to do so.
Ignoring her maniacal chuckling, I pick up the bowl — inspect if there was really something in there — then rinse it and put it back to it's proper cabinet.
The witch clutched at her sides, the corner of her mouth filled with glee and mischievous fun.
She took a big, long breath.
"… haahhhhh~. Okay, okay. I've got this. I'm an adult, I'm a big grown-up who can ignore a few blunders. Fuh~" She finished with another long breath.
She wiped the corner of her eyes.
"How about this…" She straightened her posture, looking at my eyes directly. "Since you've been pretty obedient in the past two weeks, I'll help you train your magic. Sounds like a good deal doesn't it? In exchange for a little bit of your dignity, you get to be learn from one of the best magicians in the continent."
She offered me her hand, giving me a saleslady-like smile.
Sure, why not?