The Witch from Another World

Lillian Graveshade

*BANG!* *BANG!*

*CLANG!*

*SWOOSH!*

"Keugh! I can't find any openings! How is he so strong for a nerd?" I mutter, struggling to block his attacks.

His weapons were guns, both with peculiar fantasy-like designs.

Oddly enough, he only used one of them against me—or perhaps, he couldn't use the other one? It works on Rubielle, as if designed specifically for magic! On the other hand, the gun in his left hand was a menace, shooting bursts of fire relentlessly. It was annoying, to say the least, keeping me on edge and forcing me to block with every move.

While clashing with this man, an unexpected wave of unnatural energy swept over us. It was warm yet oppressively dense, pressing down on everything around.

"Tsk!" He clicked his tongue sharply, his expression shifting. It was clear he felt it too.

"An opening!" I seized the moment and kicked the gun from his right hand. But he reacted instantly, firing at me with the other gun.

What should I do? The weapons I'm carrying are meant for evil spirits, not people. For now, I can rely on my sword and keep my focus, waiting for Rubielle.

Out of nowhere, something appeared in his hands, just like his guns had. It was small, with blinking lights.

"No way—!"

"Here's a gift for you~" the alchemist grinned and threw the object at me. I leapt as far as I could, knowing what it could be—and as expected—

*BOOM!*

The explosion sends dirt and debris flying.

"Sorry, little girl~ This has been pretty enjoyable, but the situation changed," he said with a smirk, before quickly running out of the abandoned warehouse.

"Wait!"

I ran through the thick plants and tall grass, desperately following the man running toward Rubielle.

I only carry this for emergencies, but there's no choice! Sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire!

From my pouch, I opened a small box hastily removing the talisman I had kept and unleashed a curse toward him. In an instant, his hand deteriorated, turning dark and wrinkled as if aging in seconds. I quickly closed the box, knowing it could affect me too.

"ARGH! You b*tch!"

The man glared at me, his pace slowing as he fumed with rage.

"I was planning to go easy on you, but how dare you! I'll kill you!"

With a furious shout, he threw a bottle toward me, filled with an odd liquid.

"AAAARGH!"

I screamed in pain as the burning sensation seared through me, like acid being thrown on my skin.

"Huff... huff..."

I gasped, struggling to breathe, my body too weak to stand. The pain was unbearable, making it impossible to move.

In the distance, Rubielle stood with a floating marble in her hands, surrounded by an odd, flowing light that resembled water. The energy emanating from it was both beautiful and powerful.

"LIKE I'LL LET YOU!!"

The man shouted in desperation, firing his weapon at Rubielle multiple times. But before the bullets could reach her, tree trunks shifted, moving with surprising speed and precision, like veins, to block the attacks.

Rubielle's calm demeanor as she protected the marble filled me with a sense of relief and renewed strength. She had become someone I could rely on, someone stronger than I ever imagined. And I watch in awe.

A tree trunks shot forward with incredible speed, slamming into the man and sending him crashing to the ground. This was it! With this, we surely—

"Ah, my victor~ I just left you for a bit and you're already a mess?"

A voice, smooth and mature, cuts through the air. It carried an eerie sound, sending a chill down my spine.

"After I gave you one of my hearts, you just let it be taken away like that?"

A massive ball of fire shot from behind me, heading straight for Rubielle.

She reacted swiftly, using the trees to block the attack once more, her expression hardened as she glared to the one behind me. The tension thickened as she fell into an eerie silence.

I turned around, heart racing, and saw her— a tall, mature woman dressed in flowing red robes, holding a staff with an air of authority. Beside her floated an unconscious person with their body suspended in mid-air.

"Ethan!" I recognize the unconscious person instantly.

"Strangers shouldn't interfere," the woman looks at me coldly, pointing her staff at me. It glows as heat radiated from it.

But before she could act, Rubielle leaped in front of me, unleashing a blast of magic straight at the woman. The attack hit with a loud crash, sending up a cloud of smoke and dust. However, when the dust cleared, the woman stood unscathed, a shimmering shield glowing around her, effortlessly absorbing Rubielle's blast.

"Sorry, Lillian, for dragging you into this mess," Rubielle whispered softly.

"Sleep for now," she continued, her voice like a lullaby, soothing and gentle. Her warm hands rested on me, and as if by magic, the pain in my body slowly faded away. My vision blurred, and a sense of relief washed over me. I felt safe, secure, and with that, I drifted off into sleep.

-------------------------------------

Rubielle

"Poor kid, getting beat up for nothing because of a certain 'someone' causing all the trouble," she taunts.

I glared at her while her face shows a smile.

"It's been a while, Rubielle~ How long has it been? Did you miss me? After all these years, you're still underdeveloped? Pfft~"

I felt a mix of embarrassment and anger.

"Grr..." I muttered under my breath.

This woman really knew how to get under my skin. I'm still growing, damn it!

With a sigh, I gently laid Lillian beside the tree after healing her injuries, my mind racing with how to handle this new obstacle.

"Yeah, it's been a while, Agatha. Still as sharp-tongued as ever," I said, standing tall and facing her. I knew her well enough to expect this kind of attitude.

"Give Ethan back," I demanded, my voice laced with anger, making no attempt to hide my frustration.

"Let's see," Agatha mused, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"Should I make him mine? H e got a cute face after all~" she comments while holding Ethan's face.

"Ha! As if you can!" I shot back.

"Not with your ego chasing the hero so blindly, like a lovesick idiot!"

Agatha's smile only widened, a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

"Watch your mouth, or my hand might slip~" she taunted, tightening her grip around Ethan's neck.

Everything fell into silence for a moment as we stared at each other. After a moment, I started chanting rapidly, the ground beneath me responding as large, powerful plants shot up, aiming Agatha.

Agatha also chants magic. With a wave of her staff, multiple wind magic was cast. The wind sharpened like blades, slicing through the plants with precision, cutting them down before they could reach her.

I couldn't afford to waste any more time. Sister Elysia's mana was temporary, and every second counted. I focused, chanting more magic in quick succession, attacking Agatha from multiple angles. Each spell was a strike aimed at her, defending the heart and Lillian while keeping my concentration sharp.

I couldn't let them take any more hearts. With two already in the alchemist's hands, and Agatha likely possessing some as well. There was no more room for mistakes!