Wandering Witch: Penance of a thief

[Elaina POV]

Love. What is love, really?

I've been asking myself that question for a while now, but even after all this time, I still don't have a clear answer. 

Is it love when you feel comfortable with someone? 

Or is it love when you simply want to stay by their side forever? 

These thoughts swirled in a woman mind as she wandered through the bustling streets, her pace slow and deliberate.

Around her, couples were everywhere, holding hands, exchanging sweet words, and—much to her annoyance—making out in public. 

And who is this woman, you ask? 

Yes, that's right. It's me!

I sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face.

Despite my aimless wandering, I couldn't shake off this nagging feeling of being out of place.

The people here… they all seemed to share the same odd expression whenever they glanced my way, as if I were the strangest thing they'd ever seen. 

"Honestly…" I muttered, quickening my pace to escape their judgmental stares.

Eventually, I slipped into a quiet alleyway. 

I then used magic on my broomstick, my broomstick began to glow and shift.

Within moments, its form morphed into that of a woman who looked exactly like me. 

"Master Elaina, do you need my assistance?" the newly-formed figure, Hoki, asked with a polite bow.

Her voice was calm and composed, her eyes shimmering with quiet loyalty. 

I nodded, brushing off my cloak. "Yeah, these people keep giving me weird looks. It's unsettling." 

Hoki smiled faintly. "Understood." 

Together, we stepped out of the alley and back into the bustling streets.

To my relief, the stares and whispers seemed to fade.

Perhaps walking alongside someone made me look less suspicious—or at least, less lonely. 

As we strolled, a faint humming noise reached my ears. It was distant at first, but it grew louder and clearer with each step. 

I turned toward the source of the sound, and my heart skipped a beat. 

Up ahead, a familiar figure stood, humming an all-too-familiar tune. 

"Huh? Witchie!" 

That irritating nickname rang out across the street, instantly making my mood sour.

There was only one person obnoxious enough to call me that. 

I sighed, already regretting my decision to leave the house. Turning toward the voice, I was greeted by none other than him. 

"What a coincidence, Arche," I said flatly, crossing my arms in annoyance. 

The man with emerald-green eyes grinned at me like he always did, completely ignoring my tone.

"I told you the day we first met—we're soulmates!" he teased, his voice as lively as ever. 

Before I could respond, his gaze shifted to the figure standing beside me. 

His expression froze in shock. "Elaina! You never told me you had an older sister!" 

Hoki, ever the polite one, offered him a small smile. "Master Arche, I am Master Elaina's broom. My name is Hoki." 

"Yeah," I added casually, watching his bewilderment with mild amusement. "Figured you'd be surprised." 

"Wait, it can talk?!" he exclaimed, pointing at Hoki. "And she looks just like you!" 

"Possessions are reflections of their owners, Master Arche," Hoki explained calmly, her tone as composed as ever. 

"Whoa, that's so cool!" Arche's eyes sparkled with childish excitement.

"I wish my broom could turn into a person too! Imagine how convenient that'd be!" 

I rolled my eyes as he suddenly switched gears, pouting dramatically.

"Agh… I wish I had the same magic power as you, Witchie!" 

I ignored him completely, turning to Hoki instead. "Hoki, where should we head next?" 

"Ugh… I'm being ignored…" he muttered, clearly sulking. 

"Yeah, you are," I replied without sparing him a glance. 

"Hey! At least look at me when I'm talking to you!" he whined, his expression now somewhere between annoyance and desperation. 

Before I could retort, Arche's attention was caught by the couples walking nearby.

Nearly every pair was holding hands—or worse, shamelessly kissing in public. 

"Huh…" he muttered, his gaze lingering for just a second too long. 

Noticing his reaction, a sly smirk crept onto my face. "What's wrong, Arche? Feeling a little lonely?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. 

"Hey! You—!" He jabbed a finger in my direction, but his words faltered when he glanced at Hoki. Realization dawned on his face.

I chuckled, relishing his flustered expression. "Oh, the tables have turned, huh? Looks like you're the odd one out now." 

He let out an exaggerated sigh, running a hand through his messy black hair. "You're impossible, Witchie…" 

"But seriously, why do people here always seem to be in couples and… making out?" Hoki asked, her tone laced with curiosity as her gaze swept across the street. 

Arche, ever ready with an answer, shrugged casually. "Because this is The City of Love." 

"The city of what?" I frowned, already bracing myself for an irritating explanation. 

"You don't know?" Arche's emerald eyes gleamed with amusement.

"This city's famous. People believe if you come here, you'll meet your soulmate." 

"Sounds ridiculous," I said flatly. 

"Yeah, I don't buy it either," he agreed, crossing his arms. "Soulmates are a bit too melodramatic for me." 

I smirked, glad we were, for once, on the same page. "Glad we're in agreement." 

As we walked further, a man heading straight toward us caught my attention.

His glare was sharp, his steps quick and heavy, as if the world itself owed him something.

Before I could step aside, he bumped into me hard, nearly sending me off balance. 

And just like that, he kept walking without so much as a glance back, let alone an apology. 

I stumbled slightly but quickly regained my footing.

Narrowing my eyes, I muttered under my breath, "Jerk." 

"Ahaha… Don't get mad," Arche said, his tone lighthearted as usual. 

I scowled at him. "Easy for you to say. You weren't the one he nearly knocked over." 

Arche just shrugged, but before he could tease me further, a commotion nearby caught Hoki's attention. 

"Huh? What's going on over there?" she asked, tilting her head toward the growing crowd up ahead. 

"There are so many people gathered…" Arche said, leaning forward slightly as if to get a better look. 

I followed their gazes, my curiosity piqued. "Looks like something's happening." 

Arche's grin widened. "Let's check it out!" Without waiting for an answer, he started walking toward the crowd. 

I sighed but followed after him, Hoki by my side.

As we approached the scene, it became clear that the commotion centered around a man.

Guards surrounded the crowd, keeping things in check. 

Arche, for some inexplicable reason, was allowed to enter. 

Meanwhile, Hoki and I were stopped in our tracks by one of the guards, who blocked our way with a flat expression.

"Women are prohibited," he said, his tone as lifeless as his personality. 

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Huh? And why's that?" 

"Women are prohibited," he repeated, as if that was somehow a valid explanation. 

My patience wore thin, but I tried once more. "Yeah, you already said that. But, why are women prohibited?" 

"Because you're women," he replied, still devoid of emotion. 

I blinked, staring at him in disbelief. "Wow. What an absolutely groundbreaking explanation. You should write a book." 

When it became clear I wasn't getting anywhere with him—or his single brain cell—I stepped away, shaking my head.

"Unbelievable," I muttered under my breath. 

I turned to Hoki, hoping for some clarity. "Any thoughts on this nonsense?" 

"I don't really understand either, Master Elaina," Hoki replied politely, though even she seemed a bit perplexed. 

With a sigh, I decided to let it go for now. Whatever was happening behind that wall of testosterone probably wasn't worth my time anyway. 

I changed Hoki back into her broom form and headed toward a nearby restaurant, hoping to distract myself with food. 

As I took my first bite, though, my moment of peace was rudely interrupted. 

"Hey, look at that woman… She came to a couple's restaurant alone," a woman behind me said with a chuckle loud enough to be deliberate. 

"Come on, don't waste your time on someone that pathetic," the man beside her added, his voice dripping with mockery. 

Their laughter grated on my nerves. It was the kind of petty, insecure cruelty that didn't even deserve a response—but oh, how I wanted to respond. 

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm.

With as much dignity as I could muster, I continued eating slowly, pretending I hadn't heard a thing. 

When I glanced out the window, I saw Arche standing outside, waving his hand like an overly enthusiastic fool. 

He said something, but with the glass muffling his voice, all I got was a silent comedy act. 

A moment later, he walked into the restaurant and made his way over to me. "You couldn't get in, huh?" 

I nodded, rolling my eyes. "Yeah, apparently women aren't allowed," I replied, still irritated by the ridiculous rule. 

The two couples behind me, who had been whispering smug comments earlier, suddenly fell silent the moment Arche sat across from me.

Ah, the hypocrisy of cowards. 

"It was so stuffy in that crowd…" Arche grumbled, leaning back in his chair like he'd just survived a war. 

"Yeah, I can imagine," I said, my tone dry. 

Arche then told what happened. 

Apparently, in the crowd, there was someone on stage—a woman wearing a mask.

From her voice, it was obvious she was female, which was ironic considering the whole "no women allowed" nonsense. 

"Oh, handsome men! Love me! Love me!" he mimicked her with exaggerated flair, earning a raised eyebrow from me. 

I crossed my arms. "And you call her weird? Coming from you, that's saying a lot." 

Arche ignored my jab and continued.

He explained that the woman had been saying all kinds of bizarre things—basically begging for attention in the most dramatic way possible.

Then, out of nowhere, she handed him a chocolate bar. 

"Wait, she just gave you chocolate? For free?" I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. 

"Yeah, just like that." Arche reached into his pocket and pulled out the chocolate bar like it was some kind of trophy. "See? She handed me this." 

Before I could say anything, he unwrapped it and took a bite without hesitation. 

I stared at him, deadpan. "You know, normal people usually question random gifts from strangers." 

He shrugged. "What? It's chocolate. Who says no to chocolate?" 

Honestly, sometimes I wondered if Arche's brain was just there for decoration.

Arche's face twisted into an expression that could only be described as sheer horror.

"Ugh… What is this?" he groaned, looking like he was about to throw up right there at the table. 

I raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Is the chocolate really that bad?" 

"Sorry, Elaina, I have to go…" he said abruptly, standing up so fast he nearly knocked the chair over.

"Ugh…" Clutching his stomach, he bolted out of the restaurant like his life depended on it. 

I stared at the door he'd just fled through, completely baffled.

"What on earth was in that chocolate…?" I muttered, shaking my head. 

Deciding not to dwell on it, I returned to my meal. After finishing, I paid my bill and stepped out of the restaurant, hoping for a peaceful walk. 

That hope was short-lived. 

Just outside, a group of men caught my attention. Something about them was… off.

Their movements are stiff, their expressions blank, and they were all walking in the same direction like they were in a trance. 

I squinted, trying to make sense of what they were muttering under their breath. 

"Love Miss Amoret… Love Miss Amoret…" 

"Love Miss Amoret?" I repeated, the words tasting strange on my tongue.

Who was this Miss Amoret, and why were these men so obsessed with her? 

Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to stop one of the men passing by. "Excuse me—" 

The man abruptly stopped, turning to face me with an intense stare.

For a moment, I thought he might actually answer my question. 

But instead, he scowled. "You are not Miss Amoret." His voice was flat and cold, like I'd just committed some grave sin by existing. 

Then, without missing a beat, he added, "Get away from me, ugly." 

I froze, stunned by his venomous words. As he walked off, muttering "Love Miss Amoret" again, my shock quickly gave way to irritation. 

"Ugly, huh?" I muttered under my breath, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, aren't you Prince Charming?" 

Whatever was going on in this city, it was getting weirder by the second. 

The sudden sound of screaming snapped me out of my thoughts.

I turned around just in time to see the restaurant I'd just visited earlier engulfed in flames. 

Perfect timing. 

The people I had seen inside moments ago were all running away—so at least everyone was safe.

But still, the sight of the flames consuming the building was hard to ignore. 

Flames danced hungrily at the structure, crackling and spitting as the fire grew.

Panicked people scrambled in every direction, their footsteps frantic. 

"Oh no" I exclaimed, genuinely shocked by the sudden inferno. 

I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation settle on my shoulders. Of course this had to happen. Of course.

I pulled out my wand and cast water magic, my hand sweeping through the air as I focused.

The water came to life, cascading through the air in a rush and splashing onto the flames. 

Gradually, the inferno began to subside as the magic worked its way through the fire, dousing the flames and calming the chaos. 

I kept the water magic going until the last embers were snuffed out, the fire fully extinguished.

But my mind was racing. What had caused the fire in the first place? 

My thoughts were interrupted when I noticed the chef—the very same one who was supposed to be cooking at the restaurant—walking away from the scene. 

Did he just leave the kitchen and let the place burn down? What kind of incompetence was that? 

I narrowed my eyes as I watched him walk in the same direction as those strange men from before. Well, that was suspicious. 

Without a second thought, I decided to follow him. Because, you know, that always turns out to be a good idea. 

I followed him through the city until we arrived at a large mansion.

It loomed in front of me, its sheer size impressive, but also a little… foreboding. 

The chef entered, and so did the group of men. What was going on here? 

Guards stood in front of the mansion, their bulky physiques making it clear they weren't letting anyone through without a fight. 

I stopped, a sigh escaping my lips as I assessed the situation.

Getting into a place like this was going to be a problem. It was practically a fortress. 

Great. Just great. 

I walked away from the mansion, my mind buzzing. I needed answers, and I wasn't going to get them by standing around like a fool. 

The library was my next stop. The place was quiet, the scent of old paper filling the air—just the kind of place to find the answers I was looking for. 

I pulled a book from the shelf and started flipping through it. After a few moments, something caught my eye. 

"Seduction potion?" I muttered to myself, eyebrow raised. 

Apparently, this potion could make anyone who drank it fall completely captivated by the one who brewed it. A potion of obsession, if you will. 

"Well, that's... unsettling." 

As I read on, the book explained that it could be mixed into food or drink. 

Wait a minute...

Arche had mentioned earlier that a woman in a mask had handed out chocolate to the men, and those strange men I'd seen were all... well, men. 

It hit me like a brick. 

"I understand now!" 

The woman—this Amoret—must've mixed the seduction potion into the chocolate.

Anyone who ate it would be instantly obsessed with her. 

But then another, more urgent thought struck me. 

"Arche... ate the chocolate..." 

I turned the page, hoping to find something that could help.

And there it was. The recipe for the antidote. 

"Hmm…" I muttered again, my finger tracing the words. 

Okay, this was it. I had to make the antidote potion, so that I didn't have to deal with more restaurant fires—or worse—because of some crazed, potion-induced behavior. 

I transformed Hoki back into human form, my trusty broom now standing beside me. 

"Hoki, help me," I said, with the same serious tone I always used. 

"What can I help you with, Master?" Hoki asked, clearly ready for whatever chaos I was about to drag him into. 

"We're making an antidote potion," I declared. 

"Alright, Master," Hoki replied, eager to get started. 

We went shopping for ingredients—of course, I had to buy them all.

At least I wasn't being followed by weird men this time. 

Back at the hotel, I set up my makeshift potion lab, hoping my room wouldn't spontaneously combust from the fumes. 

I worked carefully, following the recipe with precision.

Hoki assisted as best as he could, although I was pretty sure his idea of "help" mostly involved not blowing things up. 

After what felt like an eternity, I finally finished the antidote. 

I let out a sigh of relief. 

"With this, we can cure them," I said, allowing myself a small moment of satisfaction. 

Of course, now I had to figure out what to do about Arche... 

"If we can cure Master Arche, he'll be of great help," Hoki said, always the practical one. 

"Hm, you're right." I nodded thoughtfully, though I had no intention of rushing to administer the antidote to Arche just yet.

No, first I had to make sure this potion actually worked. 

"Alright, thank you, Hoki," I said, already thinking about my next move. 

"My pleasure, Master Elaina," Hoki bowed, ever the loyal companion. I turned her back into a broom again. 

I left the hotel, strolling through the streets with a sense of purpose—well, at least until I noticed a man mumbling to himself, staring vacantly into space. 

Ah, just the kind of person I needed. 

I tapped him on the shoulder, and, predictably, he turned to face me with a glazed look in his eyes. 

"You're not Miss Amoret," he said, his voice dull and lifeless. 

"Indeed," I replied, smirking inwardly at how easily this was going.

Then, without wasting any more time, I cast a spell to paralyze him. 

"Now, drink this," I said, forcing the antidote down his throat. 

After a few moments, he seemed to lose consciousness, but when his eyes snapped open again, he started to panic. 

"Huh? Eh? Why can't I move?!" 

That's because of me.

I flicked my wrist, releasing the spell so he could move again. 

"Who are you?!" he demanded, his voice shaky and confused. 

I shot him a sweet smile. 

"You're welcome!" I called over my shoulder as I turned and walked away, leaving him to wrestle with his sudden freedom. 

Ah, I was so glad this potion worked. 

I continued on my way to the mansion, but of course, there was no way I was going through the front entrance. 

That was too easy, and frankly, I wasn't feeling like making it that simple. 

As I walked along the side of the mansion, my eyes caught sight of an open window high above. 

Perfect. 

I whipped out my broomstick and leaped onto it, soaring into the air. 

"Let's see what kind of mess we can get into," I muttered to myself, flying straight toward the open window. 

As I slipped inside, I was immediately greeted by the sight of a room full of men. 

"Intruder!" someone shouted, and I couldn't help but think Well, that's just great.

The chase began almost immediately. Of course, running wasn't going to cut it, not with so many of them, so I summoned my broomstick for a quick escape. 

"Ugh... There are so many of them..." I muttered, darting through the hallways. 

I eventually found myself in a large room.

The moment I stepped inside, my eyes landed on someone sitting on a chair at the far end of the room. 

She looked like she belonged on a throne, oozing arrogance with every inch of her. 

And, just like that, the game changed. 

The masked figure spoke, her voice cold and sharp. 

"Intruder, huh?" 

Ah, so this is the infamous Amoret, I thought, studying her. 

I crossed my arms, meeting her gaze with a small smirk. "You're the woman named Amoret, right?" 

"Huh!" she scoffed, her eyes narrowing in disdain. "I don't need to be recognized by a woman like you!" 

Her words were as venomous as they were stupid. She didn't even know me. 

She stood up, her posture smug as she sneered. "Why is a skinny and ugly woman like you here?" 

Skinny and ugly…?

I muttered the words under my breath, feeling my annoyance creep up. I was ready to respond when she went on. 

"Huh! I don't need to intervene to fight you!" She raised her hand dramatically, pointing a finger at me. 

"My dear, attack her!" 

At her command, one of her lackeys stepped forward. I saw who it was. 

It was Arche. 

Of course. 

"Seriously? This guy?" I thought, narrowing my eyes as I faced him. 

"Oh? You know him?" Amoret asked, her sly smile twisting like a cat who caught a mouse. "Is he your boyfriend?" 

I raised an eyebrow, the sarcasm practically dripping from my voice.

"Sorry, but he's mine now." She grinned, clearly enjoying herself. 

Seriously? I thought, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.

"That's not up to you to decide," I retorted, meeting her confident smile with a firm, unwavering look of my own. 

"Huh? Jealous?" Amoret asked, her confidence reaching new heights.

She practically strutted as if she had already won.

"He's a handsome and muscular man. I won't give him to you!" 

"Jealous? Hardly," I shot back, my tone sharp with sarcasm. "You're really giving yourself too much credit." 

I turned my gaze to Arche, whose eyes were still lifeless and vacant. With a frustrated sigh, I clenched my fists. 

"Arche! Wake up!" I called out, my voice ringing with impatience. 

No response. All I got was a sharp exhale before he charged at me—fast, too fast.

I spun on my heel, barely dodging, and in a split second, his fist slammed into the wall where I had just been standing.

The entire wall trembled, a massive crack spreading outward from the point of impact, sending dust raining down like mist.

What kind of strength is this?

I stepped back, summoning a magical barrier in front of me.

But Arche just gave a faint, before throwing a punch at it.

I stumbled slightly, trying to steady myself. "Arche! Don't be controlled by her!"

Still no answer. Only the sound of his footsteps thundering toward me.

In a flash, he leaped, delivering a powerful kick aimed right at me.

I crossed my arms, summoning a wall of ice between us.

His kick collided with the ice, and I heard it crack. I jumped back again, my heart pounding.

He didn't let up. Arche moved like a storm—his fists came next, followed by an elbow strike that nearly grazed my face, and then a knee aimed at my stomach.

I twisted my body, rolling to the other side of the room while chanting an elemental spell.

With a wave of my hand, thousands of ice needles materialized in the air, floating around me like a storm of restrained fury.

Arche paused for a moment, his eyes locking onto mine—was that hesitation? Or was it just wishful thinking on my part?

"If you won't come back…" I whispered, "I'll force you back!"

I thrust both hands forward, sending the rain of ice needles straight toward him.

Arche charged through the storm, but I could see thin trails of blood as the needles grazed his skin—even that wasn't enough to stop him.

Suddenly, Arche vanished before my eyes—like he dissolved into thin air. I froze, gripping my wand tightly.

Teleportation. I suddenly remembered the gemstone he carried, the one that allowed him to move instantly from place to place. 

A chilling sensation crept down my spine. A threatening aura loomed behind me, heavy and oppressive, making every hair on my body stand on end.

My instincts screamed at me to turn around. 

When I did, there he was—right behind me—his fist already flying toward me with terrifying speed.

His emerald-green eyes were still void of life, filled only with an emotionless rage that sent shivers through me. 

"Barrier!" I shouted, my hands moving quickly to conjure a shimmering shield in front of me. 

Arche's punch collided with the barrier, the impact shaking the air around us.

The shock from his strike reverberated through my arms, a sharp ache making me wince.

"If that punch had landed on me directly..." My mind painted a grim picture.

I barely had a chance to catch my breath when he disappeared again.

Teleportation again! I thought, panic rising within me.

The threatening aura appeared once more, sharper this time, and I quickly turned around.

There he was, his empty eyes locking onto me as his fist was raised, ready to strike.

But I managed to move. With quick reflexes, I jumped to the side.

"It's not that easy, Arche!" I called out, though deep down, I knew this was far harder than I had imagined.

I leaped backward to create some distance, the air around me started to whirl, forming a powerful vortex.

I raised my hands high and directed the wind toward Arche.

"Be blown away!"

The wind shot forward like an invisible spear, slamming into his body with immense force.

Arche was sent flying back, crashing into the wall with a loud thud, debris and small fragments scattering across the floor.

I tried to steady my breath, sweat beading on my forehead despite the cold in the room.

The attack was enough to knock him down temporarily, but I knew... he would rise again.

Arche quickly rose to his feet, his body moving with surprising agility despite the heavy blow he'd just taken.

His empty eyes locked onto me again, filled with the same destructive intent.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward, launching a series of powerful punches.

The air vibrated with each strike. I narrowly dodged, soaring upward on my flying broom, escaping his reach.

My body glided effortlessly in the air, and I prepared to attack from above.

"Stay there, Arche!" I called out, speeding up the broom.

But nothing could prepare me for what happened next.

Click!

In an instant, with lightning speed, Arche pulled a pistol from behind his pants and fired several shots at me.

My eyes widened in surprise—I always forget, Arche always has deadly weapons hidden everywhere.

I dodged as quickly as I could, swerving to the side, but some of the bullets whizzed dangerously close.

One grazed near my shoulder. I felt the hot rush of air from the shots, barely missing me.

In this moment, I had no choice but to keep dodging.

"Why are you carrying that weapon?" I shouted, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rising tension.

I couldn't wait any longer. Time was running out, and if I didn't act now, I knew the end would come—an even worse end.

With a swift motion, I gathered my magical energy and summoned the creeping roots from the floor, swiftly snaking toward Arche.

Without mercy, they wrapped around his body, binding every movement and holding him firmly in place. 

Arche struggled, using all his strength to break free from the grip of the plants.

I could see his muscles tense, his body shaking, but the roots continued to hold fast, preventing his movements. 

I let out a sigh of relief—thankfully, he didn't use that dagger.

If he had pulled out a sharp weapon, the roots would've been severed in an instant. But this time, I had the chance. 

I quickly closed the distance. The roots kept him from moving, and I could see his vacant eyes—maybe fighting a little to come back to himself, but the force controlling him was too great. 

I took the antidote from my bag and carefully poured it into his mouth.

Arche's body went still, and slowly, I began to see a change.

His eyes started to return, little by little.

After a moment, his body went limp. He was unconscious.

Carefully, I released the roots' grip on him. His body fell heavily, and I rushed to catch him, making sure he didn't fall to the floor. 

"Arche..." I whispered softly.

"You bastard!" Amoret screamed, her voice dripping with fury as she watched us. "You stole my lover!" 

Lover? Really? I thought, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. 

"Elaina...?" Arche's voice broke through my thoughts. Slowly, his eyes started to focus. 

"Yes, it's me," I said, relief flooding through me as I rushed to his side. "Are you alright?" 

"A little dizzy," he muttered, looking around as if trying to make sense of things. "What happened?" 

"You were under Amoret's control," I explained, my voice firm. "But thankfully, I managed to snap you out of it." 

"Thank you..." Arche sighed, rubbing his temples. "And it seems like we're being crowded, huh?" 

"Yes, it seems like we have quite an audience," I replied dryly, glancing around at the eyes fixed on us. 

"My back hurts a little," he muttered, wincing slightly.

Oops.

"Oh, really? I wonder whose fault that is," I teased, giving his shoulder a playful pat. 

He shot me a look that could only be described as an expression of 'this is so not fair,' but I could see the hint of a smile in his eyes. 

"So, she's the boss?" Arche asked, pointing toward Amoret, his voice dripping with sarcasm. 

I nodded, my eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, she's the one responsible," I confirmed, irritation creeping into my tone.

"And I have a feeling we're just getting started." 

"My darlings! Attack them both!" Amoret ordered.

Dozens of people advanced toward us, their eyes hollow and lifeless, just like how Arche's had been earlier.

Their movements were quick but stiff, like puppets controlled by unseen strings. 

"Elaina, focus on long-range attacks!" Arche's voice cut through my thoughts.

He had already moved ahead, I nodded, taking a deep breath before raising my hands and casting a spell.

A gust of wind surged forward, slamming into several enemies at once and pushing them back.

"Watch your right!" I called out as a group tried to encircle him. 

But Arche didn't need my warning. He moved like a storm, weaving through the enemy strikes with precision.

His fist slammed into one opponent's gut with a force that made them collapse, and in one swift motion, he grabbed the fallen body and hurled it into two others, sending them tumbling like bowling pins. 

I froze for a moment, stunned. "Arche?" I muttered under my breath, though I knew he wouldn't answer. 

Two enemies charged toward me, crude weapons raised. I swung my arm, summoning thick roots from the ground.

The plants shot forward, coiling around their bodies and stopping them in their tracks.

With a flick of my wrist, the roots slammed them into the nearest wall. 

Arche, on the other hand, showed no mercy.

He kicked one enemy's knee, dropping them to the ground, then drove his elbow into their jaw.

In the same fluid motion, he grabbed the collar of the downed foe and used their body as a shield to block an incoming attack from behind. 

The sound of bones cracking echoed as Arche threw the body to the ground and smashed his knee into their face.

Before I could even process it, he was already moving again, grabbing an opponent's arm and spinning them around to use their momentum against three others, knocking them all down in one brutal motion. 

I couldn't hide my shock. His fighting style... this wasn't the Arche I knew.

He was fast, ruthless, and completely unrelenting—using his enemies' bodies as weapons against each other.

"Focus, Elaina!" he called out as he twisted to evade another strike.

His palm struck an enemy's throat with brutal precision, causing them to stumble back, gasping for air. 

I snapped out of my daze. "Right," I muttered, leaping back to create distance.

I conjured shards of ice from the air, sending them flying into the advancing crowd.

The frozen projectiles struck true, slowing some of them down or forcing them to stumble. 

But there were too many of them. "Arche, we'll be overwhelmed if this keeps up!" 

"We won't," he replied coldly, his tone filled with unwavering confidence.

His fist collided with another enemy's face before he spun and delivered a powerful kick to another's chest. 

I watched as he grabbed two foes by their collars and slammed their heads together with a sickening crack before shoving their limp bodies into the rest of the crowd. 

Our backs met, our breaths heavy and ragged as we stood surrounded by dozens of controlled foes.

My body was worn, In the midst of the chaos, Arche suddenly froze. 

"Elaina…" His voice was low, almost pained. "I'm sorry." 

I frowned, confused by the sudden apology.

"What for?" I asked, my voice still labored. I tried to glance over my shoulder to see his face, but he remained turned away. 

He didn't answer right away, "This is going to get worse," he muttered, his voice barely audible. 

I didn't understand why he was apologizing, but I nodded anyway.

"Apology accepted, but we don't have time for this!" I shouted, trying to shake off the unease creeping into my mind. 

Arche nodded before speaking again, this time more firmly. "Use your speed magic on me. Now." 

I hesitated for a moment, but as I glanced at the approaching horde, I knew it was our best option.

"Alright," I replied, lifting my hand and casting the spell.

My magic enveloped Arche, "Thank you," he said, his tone calmer now. 

I nodded once more, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "Alright. Let's finish this." 

I raised my wands, A powerful gust swirled around us, blowing several enemies back.

Sharp shards of ice shot like arrows, stopping those who tried to approach from a distance. 

Arche, now moving with incredible speed thanks to my spell, darted through them like a shadow.

With movements almost too fast to see, he took down one opponent after another.

Punches, elbows, knees, and kicks landed with brutal precision, ensuring every strike neutralized his foes with deadly efficiency. 

I couldn't help but be momentarily stunned by his fighting style.

He wasn't just defeating his opponents—he was using them as weapons.

Arche grabbed one of them, hoisting their body and hurling them into a group of others with overwhelming strength.

Two, three enemies fell in a single motion. 

Meanwhile, I kept my distance, providing support with my magic.

"Vines!" I called out, and instantly, thick roots erupted from the ground, ensnaring the legs of several enemies, toppling them before they could get close to Arche. 

"I'll handle the front; you cover the back! Don't let them surround us!" he shouted, moving with agility like lightning cutting through the crowd. 

"I know what I'm doing!" I retorted, slamming my staff into the ground to summon a wall of ice that blocked the path of several enemies trying to flank us from the left. 

Arche gave me a brief nod before leaping forward, kicking one enemy to the ground and spinning to smash another's head with his elbow.

Within minutes, bodies started dropping, one after another.

They lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious from our combined efforts.

I stood tall, taking deep breaths as I scanned the surroundings. 

"You're pretty great, huh?" I muttered, watching him stand amidst the chaos, his breath ragged but his stance unwavering. 

He turned to me, wiping a small smear of blood from the corner of his lip—likely not even his own.

"And you're still too slow," he replied with a faint smirk, though I knew he was just trying to ease the tension. 

I shook my head, suppressing the small smile creeping onto my lips.

"How dare you say that to a witch like me," I shot back, glancing at the bodies scattered around us. "But… we did it." 

He nodded, his shoulders sagging slightly from exhaustion. "Yeah, we did." 

The fight was over. Every enemy lay unconscious on the ground, and for a moment, silence filled the air.

"Hey!" Arche called out to Amoret, his voice cutting through the tension. 

"Huh?" she snapped, her attention shifting to him. 

"What was her name again?" Arche whispered to me, clearly trying to gather his thoughts. 

"Her name is Amoret," I whispered back, a hint of mockery creeping into my voice. "Try to remember." 

"Amoret! Can you explain why you did all this?" Arche demanded, his tone direct. 

Amoret growled in annoyance, and with a dramatic flourish, she ripped off her mask. 

I couldn't help but be taken aback as her true appearance was revealed.

Well... that's... unexpected. I didn't want to be rude, but the word ugly definitely crossed my mind. 

"Look at my face!" Amoret screamed at us, her voice cracking with frustration. "DO YOU THINK ANY MAN WILL LIKE ME?!" 

"I don't know," Arche said bluntly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

I shot Arche a quick glare, silently begging him to tone it down just a little. Please, can you try not to make everything worse?

"That doesn't justify your actions," I interjected firmly, my voice carrying an edge of disappointment.

"What you did was wrong. Controlling someone against their will is never okay."

"You will not be loved by anyone," Arche added bluntly, as if he were delivering an unavoidable truth.

"Arche, enough," I chided gently, sensing that his bluntness wasn't exactly helping here.

"You will not be loved by anyone because you never try," he continued, unfazed by my interruption.

"What do you mean?! People who see me will be disgusted and run away!" she shouted, her voice filled with frustration.

"And do I look disgusted?" Arche asked, completely unbothered.

"Arche, what are you doing?" I whispered, my brow furrowing in confusion.

His tone was... well, not what I expected.

"Look at this woman, her hair's like a sixty-year-old grandmother's," he said, patting my shoulder. "But she's still pretty."

I blinked, unsure if it was a joke or some twisted form of compliment.

"Thanks, I think?" I replied dryly, my voice dripping with sarcasm yet somehow accepting the odd compliment.

"There will definitely be someone out there who loves you," Arche said seriously, as though he truly believed it.

"Do you have any guarantee?" Amoret shot back, her bitterness clear.

"Love isn't always about guarantees," I chimed in, my tone slightly softer.

"Sometimes, it's about taking risks and letting yourself feel something real."

Arche nodded, his expression softening as he met my gaze. "Exactly," he said.

"Love's a mess. You never really know how it'll work out. But you can't let that stop you from trying."

"It's worth taking chances and finding someone who appreciates you for who you are, inside and out," I said, my voice soft but firm.

"That's bullshit!" Amoret shot back, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Why do you refuse to believe it?" I asked gently, trying to reach her, hoping she'd see beyond her self-imposed limitations.

"No wonder you don't have a partner," Arche remarked casually, his tone blunt. "You think it's bullshit.

If you don't believe, you'll never get a real boyfriend."

I shot Arche a quick glare, but he didn't seem to notice. "If you never open yourself up to the possibility of love, how can you expect it to find you?"

Amoret's anger flared. "That's not true! That's not true!" she screamed, her voice shaky. "I've never been loved!"

"My parents abandoned me because of my ugly face! I suffer because of my face!"

"And what would you do if I said I liked you?" Arche suddenly asked, his words completely unexpected.

My eyes widened in surprise. I looked at him, confused and unsure if I had heard him correctly.

Amoret froze, her eyes wide.

"You like me?"

"No," Arche said bluntly, shaking his head. "I like women who have confidence in themselves." He shrugged.

"Good, bad, beautiful, ugly—it's all about perception, and the angle from which you choose to view it."

I couldn't help but smile at his unexpected wisdom. "Wise words, indeed," I said with a slight smirk.

"Is that some kind of weird wisdom?" I asked, a teasing glint in my eyes. "Or did you just make that up on the spot?"

Arche grinned. "Perception plays a big role in how we see ourselves and others. True beauty and worth go far beyond the surface."

He paused for a moment before adding, "It's better to be beautiful than to be good. But it's better to be good than to be ugly."

Amoret was silent for a moment, taking in his words. Finally, she spoke, her voice softer, almost vulnerable.

"Are you sure there will be someone who likes me?"

"Yes," I said, my tone firm and reassuring.

"There is someone out there who will appreciate and love you for who you are."

"It might take time, but it's possible. Believe in yourself, and the right person will find you."

Suddenly, Amoret began crying, much to our shock.

"Hey, Elaina, you made her cry!" Arche pointed at Amoret as if he was accusing me, his finger practically wagging in my direction.

"What? I just tried to encourage her!" I protested, my voice a mix of confusion and mild indignation.

"Why does it feel like I'm suddenly responsible for her tears?"

Arche raised an eyebrow. "You're a bad woman, aren't you, Elaina?"

"Oh, hush," I retorted with mock annoyance, crossing my arms. "I'm not responsible for her tears."

"If anything, it's your bluntness that probably pushed her over the edge."

"Is it me who's wrong?!" Arche looked genuinely surprised, his expression a little too innocent for my liking, especially given that his harsh words were clearly the culprit.

"Yes," I said flatly, not bothering to sugarcoat it.

"Just that?!" Arche asked, clearly frustrated. He turned to Amoret, who had gone silent.

"And what should we do with her?"

Before I could answer, I handed the antidote potion to one of the policemen who had arrived on the scene.

"Agh..." The man growled, looking as though he had just woken from a deep slumber.

"Um... Where am I?" he muttered, still dazed.

Arche and I quickly explained what had happened.

The policeman nodded in understanding and made his way toward Amoret, who remained eerily quiet.

"You're under arrest, Amoret," the policeman announced, his voice firm as he looked at her.

Amoret turned to face him, her eyes narrowing.

"Hm? I heard from those two that you think you're ugly," the policeman said, his voice casual but laced with a hint of humor.

"But I think you're just like any other person."

Amoret's face flushed bright red at his words, and she sputtered, "What do you mean?!"

"I mean, I don't mind your face," the policeman said with a smile, his tone easygoing.

Arche, not missing a beat, chimed in, "They should invite us to their wedding."

"Oh, shush you," I teased, rolling my eyes playfully. "They just found each other. Let's not jump ahead so quickly."

"And there are about... hundreds of people we have to give the antidote to," Arche added, his eyes scanning the crowd.

I let out a frustrated sigh, realizing the sheer scale of what we were up against.

"Hundreds," I groaned, feeling the weight of responsibility settle heavily on my shoulders.

"This is going to be a long day."

I glanced at the potion, realizing it was nowhere near enough. "And I have to make it again..."

"Uh... Sixty-year-old woman," Amoret called out suddenly.

"Pfttt..." Arche snickered, barely containing his laughter.

I shot Arche a disapproving glare, silently begging him to show some restraint.

"Sorry, couldn't help it," he said, his laughter still bubbling just beneath the surface.

"Yes?" I asked Amoret, trying to maintain my composure.

"I have quite a lot of antidote potions in this mansion... I made them in case an ugly man was attracted to me," she explained matter-of-factly.

"Well, that's convenient," Arche quipped. "Mr. Policeman helped us cure everyone here, and Amoret, you'll have to help, too."

"Witchie, change your broom into the form of that beautiful lady," Arche said with a grin.

"Okay," I replied, a little exasperated but still trying to keep things light.

I transformed my broom into its human form. "Hoki, let's get to work."

"Alright, Master," Hoki responded, ever the diligent helper, as we gathered the antidote potions Amoret had stored.

And then, one by one, the men who had been captivated drank the antidote potion.

Ugh... I'm so glad someone helped because if it had been just me, this would've taken hours.

Watching the men return to their senses, one after another, was a relief, but the sheer number of them was... well, overwhelming.

With a sigh, I glanced over at Arche, feeling the weight of the task finally catching up with me.

"How many more do we have to wake up?"

"Hmm... Dozens more," Arche replied casually.

After finally giving all the men the antidote, I let out a long breath, relieved but definitely feeling a little winded.

"Are you tired already? Your stamina is really bad, Witchie," Arche teased, his voice full of mock concern.

I shot him a half-hearted glare, too tired to put much effort into it.

"Tired? Me? Never," I replied with exaggerated offense, sarcasm dripping from my words. "I could do this all night."

He grinned, clearly enjoying my sarcasm. "Want to go to a restaurant? I'll pay, since you helped me before."

At the mention of food, my tired expression brightened instantly.

"A restaurant, you say? You really know how to tempt me," I smirked, my tone suddenly a lot more lively.

"Count me in. I'll never say no to a good meal, especially when you're paying."

After finally solving the chaos inside the mansion, we began walking toward the restaurant.

"It's been a long day, huh?" Arche said, his tone casual.

I sighed, my steps slow and dragging. "Long day is an understatement," I groaned. "My feet are already killing me."

"Hey, don't frown all the time," he added, walking beside me like he wasn't exhausted himself.

I shot him a sidelong glance. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one who's been running around like a headless chicken."

"Come on, I love you when you smi—" He suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

I paused, staring at him in disbelief. The word "love" hung in the air, making my heart skip a beat, but also leaving me incredibly confused.

"You... what?" I whispered, unsure if I had heard him right.

"I..." He hesitated, then quickly added, "Ugh... I feel nauseous again."

"Huh? Is the chocolate still messing with you?" I asked, still processing what had just happened.

"No... maybe it's because I ate spicy food this morning. Ugh, why is it hitting me now?" He suddenly threw a gold coin into the air, as if that would solve everything.

"Sorry, Elaina, I can't accompany you to the restaurant, but take that."

"See you later, Witchie!" And just like that, he turned around and walked off, leaving me standing there, utterly bewildered.

"Hey, wait!" I called out, but he was already too far away to hear me. I clutched the gold coin in my hand, the only thing left of him.

"Well, at least he kept his promise to pay," I muttered under my breath.

Then, shaking my head, I turned toward the restaurant and tried to forget the weirdness of the whole situation.

Arche is definitely a strange man, huh?