Until a Witch Dies – Meg Raspberry’s One Year Left to Live

“That should be everyone.”

Armed with a rag, an apron, a bandana, and a vacuum cleaner in my right hand, I stood before all the familiars in this house.

“Even if Master isn’t here, the cleaning must go on!”

At my words, the small animals looked up at me with serious expressions. We were ready.

“Begin!”

At my command, the familiars scattered and began their assigned cleaning tasks. Not to be outdone, I dashed through the hallways, vacuum in hand.

Room cleaning, mopping, organizing books, then laundry, dishes—one after another. The house was too big to clean without the help of the familiars.

“Hey, over there! Scrub properly, you two! Need to use the bathroom? Go back to your nest! And you—no fighting! You’ve already eaten, haven’t you?!”

After about an hour of battling with the small animals, we finally finished cleaning.

“Ughhh… I’m exhausted…”

As I collapsed onto the desk, Carbuncle wiped my sweat, and the white owl patted my shoulder. Cute little things.

Checking the clock, I saw it was already eleven.

In an hour, I’d have to feed the familiars, eat my own lunch, then head into town for groceries. After that, independent magic practice, some gardening, and work related to my magical studies.

“Mmm… this tea smells amazing. This is the stuff.”

I smiled, sipping my tea. The familiars looked content as well. The ticking of the clock accompanied our peaceful tea time.

Then, suddenly, I gripped the desk tightly.

“Is this really the time for tea?!”

In a burst of frustration, I flipped the desk over. The familiars jumped away as the teapot shattered with a satisfying crash.

“It’s been a whole week! A whole week of my precious life wasted on chores!”

Yes, a full week had passed since I had received my death sentence.

“Sit down, right now!”

At my command, the white owl and Carbuncle sat obediently before me. I glared at them as I paced back and forth.

“At this rate, how many more tears do I need to collect?”

The white owl hooted, tracing letters on the floor with a spilled droplet.

“T-three drops per day…?”

That meant I needed to make three people cry tears of joy every single day.

On top of doing Master’s errands? And in the limited hours of a day?

“Hold on, just collecting those two drops the other day was hard enough. Now I need to add one more?!”

The owl and Carbuncle both nodded.

“Arghhh!”

I clutched my head. At this rate, I’d die for sure. First, I needed to secure more time.

I started thinking.

“The biggest time sink is housework. If I eliminate the source of that, I’ll have more time… which means, first and foremost, I need to get rid of that damn ol’— I mean, Master.”

But I couldn’t even begin to picture that.

Defeating one of the Seven Sages? Me? Taking down a witch who could probably wipe out an entire country alone?

“Maybe poison…? Wolfsbane? A paralyzing incense…? Poison…?”

In that moment, an idea struck me like lightning.

Of course—medicine!

If I used medicine to force tears out, I wouldn’t need to rely on emotions.

A drug that manipulated human hormones, stimulating adrenaline secretion to heighten emotions and break down tear glands—if I developed and dispersed it, I’d have my solution in no time.

No sooner had the thought come to me than I sprang into action. Mixing various herbs, casting magic, and brewing test samples.

I made it quickly since I didn’t bother fine-tuning it.

“Now, who should I test this on…?”

I glanced at my familiars. The two of them shuddered.

To reassure them, I gave my best gentle smile.

“Don’t worry, it won’t kill you.”

As I grabbed Carbuncle by the scruff, it thrashed desperately, while the owl furiously pecked at the back of my head.

“Look, sacrifices must be made for the advancement of humanity!”

Just as I was struggling with my familiars, a voice suddenly interrupted.

“What are you doing?”

I froze. So did the familiars. We turned toward the source of the voice.

Standing there, arms crossed, was my friend, Fine.

“You’re up to something stupid again, aren’t you?”