The Witch and Her Companion: I'm Just a Normal High School Student, but I Became the Familiar of the Highest-Ranked Witch. Also, It Seems I'm the Only Guy in the Witch Organization I Joined

Chapter 108: Talia and Lisa

[Rachel Poker]

~Throne Room~

“Morning, Ibis. It’s pretty warm this morning, huh?”

“Yeah, if it keeps up, it might get hot by noon.”

This morning, Bumblebee showed up early to my room with a summons from Ibis. I used to get nervous every time I was called, but now I’m used to it.

“So, what errand am I running today?”

“Oh, come on, you make it sound like I always dump chores on you.”

“It’s not exactly wrong, though?”

“It is wrong. These aren’t chores—they’re important tasks only you can handle. The other girls can’t manage them, so I’m entrusting them to you.”

Ibis recrossed her legs and propped her cheek on her hand. Witches all stop aging at the same point, but she somehow looks so mature—it’s weird.

“It’s all in how you spin it. Whatever—what’s the job?”

“Right, Eris is coming back today, and I’d like you to welcome her again.”

“Eris… So, we’re getting new little sisters?”

“Two this time, apparently. It’s been since Taurus and the other five that Eris brought new recruits.”

“Yeah, it feels like Taurus and them joining Ravens was just yesterday, but when you think about it, it’s been over ten years.”

Eris left the castle again after about two years. Roaming alone, wiping out witch hunters, and recruiting allies—that’s her style.

“I miss when you were the youngest sister, Rachel. Now you’re all grown up as a big sister.”

Ibis said that with a nostalgic tone. Since Taurus and the others, we’ve gained a few more little sisters over the years. At this rate, we’ll have more little sisters than big sisters.

“With everyone being a bit much, I’ve gotta keep it together, right?”

“Hehe, saying that’s a bit rude to Bubblegum or Vivian.”

“I didn’t name names.”

＊　＊　＊

Eris showed up with two new recruits in tow, as silent as ever.

“Eris, good work on the long trip. First time meeting the two behind you. I’m Rachel Poker—I’ll be your big sister from now on. Nice to meet you.”

When I bowed, Eris wordlessly nudged the two girls forward.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lisa Galicia. I’m inexperienced, but please take care of me.”

“Let’s get along.”

The blonde witch named Lisa gave a stiff smile, looking a bit nervous.

“I’m Talia, Talia Estrella. I’ve heard rumors about Ravens’ witches all over, but I don’t recall the name Rachel.”

“Well, I haven’t drawn borders with a sword or blown up mountains. Did you join Ravens hoping to do stuff like that?”

“Obviously, to slaughter witch hunters. But it’s weird for someone calling herself my big sister to be weaker than me, don’t you think?”

Talia was taller than me. When she got this close, her chest was right in my face—talk about pressure. It’s on par with Vivian’s. Wistaria’s probably not gonna go easy on her.

“Eris, Ibis is waiting in the usual spot, so go say hi. I’ll show these two around the castle.”

Peeking past the chest blocking my view, I said that to Eris, who nodded and walked off.

“Oi, ignoring me? You’ve got some guts. Are you the type who thinks they’re strong just because they’re in a strong organization?”

“T-Talia, let’s stop there. Rachel-san is our senior.”

Talia grabbed my collar, pulling me so close our foreheads almost touched, glaring at me. Ria was cocky when she joined Ravens, but this is a new record.

“Talia, I get you’re nervous on your first day, but you shouldn’t do this. I’ll let it slide, but other big sisters would half-kill you.”

Staring straight into Talia’s glaring eyes, I said that calmly. Making a scene here at this hour isn’t smart. Lately, this time of day is when—

“—Too soft!! Rachel, you can’t maintain a big sister’s dignity like that!!”

…Right, when Hoan turns newbies into punching bags.

“…Morning, Hoan. And you punching bags.”

“That’s harsh, Rachel-neesama. Lately, we’re not just getting punched.”

Protesting with a huff was Libera, whose soft voice and demeanor make her well-liked—a relatively normal newbie.

“Indeed, we get kicked and choked too.”

Taurus, serious-looking but slacker-minded, only thinks about dodging work.

“Goddamn, how long do we have to keep doing this!?”

Ria’s cocky but follows orders. Getting pummeled by Wistaria on her third day at Ravens might’ve mellowed her a bit.

“But, like, I’m kinda getting used to it, myon♪”

LeCrab, whose chatter makes you wanna punch her, gets disciplined by the big sisters thanks to her nosy curiosity.

“Now, let’s finally land a hit on Hoan today. My fists are itching.”

Elju’s friendly and pretty skilled. She can hold her liquor, so she often drinks with Vivian or Hoan.

These five have been Hoan’s regular training fodder for years, almost every morning. Younger sisters get caught by Hoan sometimes, but these five are the core lineup. Poor things—Hoan must’ve taken a liking to them.

“Hoan, Ibis put me in charge of the newbies, so leave them to me. Talia’s probably just anxious on her first day.”

“Oi, don’t decide that for me! After all that talk, you’re still soft—guess you’re not much of a witch!”

Talia let go of my collar and shoved me. Youth’s great… though she might be older than me.

“Oi! Newbie! Let me tell you, Rachel’s not so weak that a punk like you could get the better of her!! Watch your mouth!!”

“Hmph, claiming you’re stronger than me? Interesting… Prove it!”

For some reason, Hoan and Talia were sparking, but weirdly, Talia drew her magic sword and pointed it at me. Just fight Hoan, geez.

“…Wait, am I the one fighting here?”

“First strike wins!!”

“…Whoa, close!?”

I was about to sigh at the hassle when Talia’s magic sword grazed my temple.

“What’s wrong!? Draw already!!”

“Ugh, I don’t wanna do this in the morning. Makes me hungry.”

“Rachel! Teach that brat a lesson!!”

This situation’s gotten so annoying I honestly just wanna throw in the towel, but Hoan and her gallery of punching bags have me completely surrounded, and Talia doesn’t seem like she’s backing down.

“Fine… Come at me, then. But if I win, you’ll behave and listen to me, got it?”

“Hah, some confidence! Alright, if I win, I’ll make you my concubine—your face is my type!”

Talia’s gaze twisted as she licked her lips. Crap, if I lose even by some fluke, my virtue’s in danger!

“…Tch!!”

“Hah, ya!?”

The moment Talia shifted into a half-stance, a lightning-fast thrust came at me. Her magic sword’s shaped like an estoc, and she fights surprisingly compact.

“Dodged, huh? But how long can you keep it up!?”

A storm of thrusts too fast for the eye. I can just barely dodge by focusing on evasion, but her footwork’s impressively sharp.

Talia’s likely a classic red magic user, specializing in physical enhancement. But her magic’s flow—on and off—is perfectly timed. She’s cleverly masking her movements so I can’t read her through her mana. That’s not something you pick up overnight.

“…Not bad, Talia.”

I leaped high to dodge a thrust aimed at my heart, spreading my wings midair. Bare-handed against her level is tough.

“…What’s that magic? Wings!?”

“Wings, huh? How about this?”

The black feathers enveloping my body twisted with a bakibaki crack. From the center of the crumpled, petal-like wings, I gripped a handle that grew and yanked it out.

“Ta-da! ‘Magic Sword Cancellation!’ Just kidding.”

In my hands were two swords crafted by reshaping the black feathers’ form and material… Name and design totally ripped off from Vivian’s magic sword.

“…You call that a magic sword? Just feathers patched together—child’s play!!”

Talia looked shocked for a split second but quickly regained her cool, unleashing another sharp thrust. No flattery—she might be the strongest among the little sisters.

“I’ll let your body decide if it’s child’s play.”

—Giriririri!!

Talia’s magic sword clashed with mine, scattering fierce sparks.

“…Tch!”

I tried to parry her thrust and slip into her guard, but Talia instinctively backstepped to keep her distance.

“What’s wrong, Talia? Backing off? That’s pretty soft.”

“…“

Silently, Talia let her magic sword dissipate, then conjured a new one. Not an estoc this time—a thick-bladed claymore. Her speed at crafting magic swords is unreal.

“…HAA!!”

Talia charged, claymore in hand. Her movements are more linear compared to before.

“…Ngh, pretty heavy!”

“Die!!”

Despite the claymore’s unwieldy nature, her strikes flow seamlessly. It’s only possible with red magic and her tall, blessed physique.

Each hit’s insanely heavy. My twin swords can’t reliably block a claymore’s attacks. I can’t use their strength—parrying to strike—against her.

So that’s why she switched from estoc to claymore. Her judgment’s sharp.

But—

“…What!?”

I caught her full-force overhead strike with one hand. The impact rippled through me, cracking the ground beneath.

“I was holding back, not using physical enhancement magic as a handicap, but you’re stronger than I thought, Talia. Guess it’s fine to use it now, right?”

I flicked my arm up, knocking the claymore from Talia’s hands. Oh, crap, if that lands near the castle, it’s trouble.

“…No, impossible! Guh!?”

With her sword gone and arms flung up, I gently kicked Talia’s solar plexus.

Talia arced through the air, sparkling saliva trailing, in a perfect parabola. She was headed straight for Hoan, but Hoan raised a stone wall just in time.

“…Agh!! Damn it…”

Talia slammed into Hoan’s wall and stopped, instantly conjuring another magic sword. Her mental grit’s insane.

“Using physical enhancement and a magic sword’s kinda cheating, no? Bit late to say, though.”

I reabsorbed my Cancellation knockoff, leaning against the wall and raising a fist at Talia, who was poised with her sword.

“Hng… Damn it!!”

Talia braced her sword horizontally to block. She’s in no shape to swing—her knees are about to give out.

“Ei!”

—Bakiin…

My fist, aimed at Talia’s face, snapped her guarding magic sword and punched a hole through the wall.

“Still wanna go?”

“…N-No… I lose.”

The fist only grazed Talia’s right cheek, but it worked like a charm.