[S1] Chapter 12: Confusion

"Fighting? What do you mean?"

Miko doesn't need to look at me so shocked. Logically, I get such ideas when I regularly watch the students getting their asses kicked at the tournament.

"Well, I want to learn how to defend myself. A bit of fighting, you know."

I can literally see how overwhelmed she is. I have no idea what's going through her head. Is she proud, disappointed, angry, or sad?

"What are we talking about? Fighting humans, which you'll probably never end up doing, or do you want to learn how to defend yourself against monsters in a dungeon?"

That's a trick question, isn't it? I can't wait too long to answer, or I'll look stupid.

"Both. I guess."

Miko sighs and slumps her shoulders. What have I done to deserve this? Is what she is expressing non-verbally.

"All right. I'll teach you a few basics. If you want to continue after that, I'll show you how witches really fight." It sounds like a threat, but I follow her to a quieter corner of the gym anyway.

"This may be a strange question, but have you ever been involved in a brawl? With a bit of pushing and punching."

"No, never before. My experience is limited to watching."

"So you've never been hit on the nose? A punch in the ribs? Anything?"

"Hey, why are you asking like it's unusual that I haven't?"

"I just don't know what to do with you. I'm not what you'd call a professional fighter now, let alone a teacher. My suggestion would be that you try to attack me to get rid of the fear of hitting someone."

She wants me to attack her? What do I do? The most impressive so far was Elliot, who used targeted, hard punches or kicks to defeat his opponents before they could cast their spells. But it could be that I lack both the speed and the strength to copy something like that... All right, I see why I'm driving Miko into despair.

"Stop thinking for so long. Just go for it."

All right! I run towards her and try to use the momentum to hit her, but rather involuntarily, the planned punch turns into a swinging attack with my whole arm. Instead of dodging, Miko simply holds her arm in the path of my strike and blocks it. A sharp pain runs through my entire forearm, making me wonder if it's broken.

"It's fine, don't worry. That was too slow to fracture a bone."

What is she wearing under the sleeves of her top? Steel protectors? I try to swallow the pain and go for a kick against her legs to knock her off her feet. The next moment, I'm in free fall and smack my back and skull on the gym floor. A faint taste of blood spreads through my mouth and nose.

"Sorry, it was a reflex." Miko squats down next to me and looks at me a little too unconcerned. She just pulled my supporting leg away while I swung out with the other one. "Did it hurt?"

The hall floor is relatively soft, but I still fell down completely unprepared. My elbows might have absorbed a bit of the impact, but my head is pounding, and my back is aching, too.

"What do you think?" I ask, clearly irritated.

"It looks like my first lesson was successful. You know, there are too many people who see and hear about fighting and think that it's cool, almost fun. But I think it's important to realize that it is painful. Whether you hit or get hit. It will always hurt. Getting up again and carrying on is the hardest step for beginners."

It annoys me to have to listen to her lecture, I was aware that it would hurt, but I attacked her anyway. I'm ready to get up and move on, but what is she trying to tell me with her words?

"What do we do now?"

"That's for you to decide. You wanted to learn to fight. So if you feel that this will help you, we'll continue."

"You said something about the way witches really fight... what does it look like?"

"I'm glad you asked. You won't like it because it's pretty boring. But you have to learn to strengthen your body with your mana, from the inside and outside. Wear it like a second skin to protect yourself from attacks, and use it to support your bones and muscles to bring out the full potential of your body. And with enough practice, you can go beyond the limits of what is humanly possible."

"How can I learn to do that?" Ah, my head hurts so much. I want a cooling pad and some ice cream.

"Train your body and, at the same time, spread your mana evenly. If your body tells you it can't take anymore, use magic to keep going. Then, next time, try to use magic before your body starts to give up to increase your endurance from the beginning, and as soon as you reach your limit again, push a little further. At some point, it's no longer your body that has to do the work but your mana instead. So you can learn to fight without exhausting your stamina."

I was aware that I wouldn't learn to fight overnight, and Miko also said that I would probably never need it. When we first met, she said that she would always protect me, but what do I do if she can't be there for me? If it's someone else who needs her?

"Were you listening?"

"Yes." with a pained groan, I straighten up and am greeted by a stream of blood from my nose. I was already wondering why I hadn't started leaking while I was lying down. Reflexively, I grab my top, pull it up, and hold it to my face to stop the blood from covering the floor.

"Shall we stop for today?"

"No, I just need a new shirt later."

"Shall I get you one?"

"If you would do that... I'll lie down again for now."

"All right, do you need anything else?"

"Ice cream."

"Are you serious?"

"Absolutely."

"Good, see you in a minute."

And with that, Miko leaves me.

With my top pulled over half of my face, I lie back down on the hall floor. And just a few seconds later, I feel several steps approaching. I am surrounded by a group of lovely thighs in shorts; further up, they also have faces, but from my position, they are the last thing I notice.

"Are you okay?"

"Yep, just a bit of a nosebleed."

"We meant more, in general.... um, you're not being bullied or abused in any way, are you?"

I have to giggle a little. They're really cute. "No, what makes you say that?"

"Well, we saw her knock you down, give you a lecture, and leave with a disgusted look on her face."

She probably wasn't disgusted but rather irritated by my desire for ice cream. But these students wouldn't understand this.

"As I said, everything is fine. She's gone and got me another shirt."

"Why didn't you go with her?"

"Well, we're still training, I haven't finished my routine yet."

"What exactly are you doing anyway? We know you work in a guild, but if you're just training, why here?"

Good question. Why are we actually here? We would certainly have found a sports hall back home. I get the feeling that we haven't really made use of the facilities at this school, apart from the cafeterias of course.

"I don't really know. I'm definitely sorry that we intruded into your turf like that."

The three girls start laughing and then sit down on the floor next to me. "Don't worry about it. We're sorry we didn't talk to you before. Maybe we can hang out during the school festival, but it's no big deal if it doesn't work out. No pressure."

"Thank you for the offer."

While I want to be happy about their kindness, it's somewhat off-putting that it only occurred after Miko had left. I don't want to hold it against them personally, but it still hurts that people have such a false image of her.

MIKO

"What do you want?"

"I'm calling for the first time in two weeks, and I'm greeted like this?"

"Sorry, I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, Kayla's bleeding out, and now she needs a change of clothes."

"Pretty intense training, it seems. And otherwise? Are you getting along?"

"Yes, I think so. Kayla is definitely more ambitious than I imagined."

"You're just noticing that now?"

"Don't pretend you knew."

"You also realized that she is special."

"Maybe."

"Well, now that I know you're okay, I'll manage to survive the next two weeks."

"How are things at home? Is there anything newsworthy?"

"I've got work for you, but we can talk about that when you're back."

"All right, I'll be in touch."

"So long, Miko."

As if Lilith was worried, she noticed that I hadn't been home for ages, and then she remembered that we were at school and contacted me because she felt guilty. I don't know how I managed to grow up with someone like her.

"What are you rushing in here for? Did you have a fight with your girlfriend?" I just stepped into the dorm, and the first person I have to run into is Elliot. What have I done to deserve this?

"Leave me alone."

"Hey, wait, is that blood on your hand? Is everything okay?"

I look down at myself for a moment and actually find stains on my skin. Kayla must have bled on me a little. There are worse things, but it's a bit disgusting.

"Everything's great. I have to hurry, sorry." Crap, did I just apologize even though he just butted into my business? Kayla's overly friendly behavior is rubbing off, I think.

Anyway, I leave him and walk quickly to the stairs to the second floor. When I reach the top, I head for our room only to discover Hannah, who happens to be standing right outside our door. Be friendly, Miko, you can do this.

"Hey, Miko, I've been looking for you."

"Great, come in with me." I open the door with my key card and walk to the closet to look for a shirt that Kayla can wear.

"Um, am I interrupting something?"

"No, everything's fine. How can I help you?"

Kayla will survive if I take a few minutes longer. I still have to get her an ice cream, even though she doesn't really deserve one.

"I wanted to ask you if you would give a lecture?"

"Me? About what?"

"The risks of being a witch, maybe... if you have the time."

"Why? Isn't it common knowledge how dangerous it is?"

"To be honest, I have a few friends who have been given the opportunity to explore a dungeon soon... But they seem like they don't realize how dangerous it can be. My goal is not to stop them, but at least they should think it over properly before they agree."

Since when does someone come to me to solve their problems? Have I missed anything?

"Have you ever told that to your friends?"

"Of course I did. But I'm sure it works better if someone who actually has real experience speaks about it."

"Then why a lecture? Can't I talk to your friends directly?"

"Then they'll know that I got you to talk to them." Yes, obviously... but unless they aren't total fools, they'll realize that Hannah initiated the whole thing anyway.

"I'll think about it, okay?"

"Really? Thanks!" Without much warning, Hannah jumps at me and gives me a hug. The first reaction I expect from myself is to be annoyed, but somehow, it's nice to be squeezed like this. When she let go of me again, it was surprisingly cold in the areas where her body was pressed against mine.

"I haven't said yes yet."

"That's all right, I'm happy anyway."

"Well then... um, do you happen to know where I can get an ice cream?"

"I have some in my freezer. Do you want one?"

"You have a freezer?"

"Bought it myself." She proudly sticks her thumb up, grabs me by the hand, and pulls me behind her. Shortly afterward, I'm standing outside her room with a T-shirt in one hand and an ice cream in the other.

"Why don't you eat it?"

"It's actually for Kayla."

"That's right, where is she?"

"I left her lying in the gym. She had a bit of a nosebleed, so I got her something to change into."

Hannah starts to lose all the color in her face, and her eyes begin to dart around wildly. "Huuuh? And I'm babbling all over you here. I am so sorry!"

"Relax, she'll survive."

Suddenly, she looks at me dead serious. "And what if she doesn't?"

I don't know how or why, but her attitude has an effect on me and I start to run. Instead of the normal ten minutes, this time, I only need five to get back to the gym. I'm not sure how long I was gone in total, but as expected, I don't find Kayla where I left her. I look around but find no sign of her.

"Um, sorry." I turn a little too excitedly to the source of the voice, and the girl, who is looking at me anxiously, flinches slightly.

"Yes?"

"Your friend went to the bathroom. She should be right back."

"Ah, thank you for telling me." I smile with relief, even if it was unreasonable to worry in the first place. Meanwhile, the girl in front of me shows no intention of leaving. Instead, she starts to tremble slightly, and her cheeks turn red.

"Um... and, uh. Actually, you're not allowed to... well, to eat in here." she stares a little too intensely at the ice cream in my hand, which is still concealed in its plastic wrapper.

"Ah, the ice cream. I don't plan on eating it here, I promise. But thanks for the tip."

"No problem." And now she runs off, eventually stopping at a group of two other girls who proudly pat her on the shoulder. Looking at them, even I doubt that her overly cautious behavior was actually my fault. Anyway, armed with a T-shirt and ice cream, I make my way towards the bathroom. Outside the entrance, I see a few other students looking through a slightly open door slit. A bit creepy if you ask me, almost as if they were peeping. But I go along and do the same. Only to discover a somewhat worrying image.

Kayla is on all fours and wipes the floor in the entrance area of the bathroom with her top, which she has now taken off. Even the sink is completely smeared red, and it looks like someone has died in there. Without further hesitation, I open the door, and the students jump aside.

"What's going on here?"

"Ah, Miko. So, um, well. My nose had stopped bleeding, so I went to the bathroom to wash my face, and just as I finished, I realized that I had dripped a tiny bit of my blood all over the floor. So I quickly rinsed the shirt in the sink to use it as a rag."

For whatever reason, but when she explains it like that, it all makes sense.

"Here, get changed." I hold the fresh shirt out to Kayla and glance towards the door, scaring away the peeping girls. With a bit of luck, it will soon no longer be my past but my present that will be the talk of the school.

A few minutes later, we are outside instead of returning to the hall. I couldn't bear to get any more attention today, and Kayla should probably take a break in her condition.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything. For the ice cream, for the T-shirt, and for the lesson."

"No problem. Are you still going to eat that?"

"Hm? Surely the ice cream has melted, right?"

"Have you forgotten who you're talking to?" I shouldn't be so proud, but after my faux pas with the freezer, I've been working on my ice magic every now and then for the last two weeks.

"That's freezing cold. Have you been using magic all this time to keep it from melting?"

"It was good practice."

"Have I ever told you how cute you are? I swear I could kiss you."

As Kayla says this, my eyes automatically wander to her lips. I can't help but wonder what it would feel like... to kiss her. "Thank you."

"Thank you? Ah, that's tough. My weak heart is aching." With a huge grin, she unwraps her ice cream as if she is the happiest person on the planet.

And even if just a little - her happiness is also mine.