The Witch’s Mansion

We finally arrived in front of her house.

It was huge, almost unreal in its beauty. I squinted, incredulous. In every fairy tale I had ever read, witches lived in rickety old shacks in the middle of a field or a swamp… not in a luxurious mansion like this.

“Brace yourself for landing!”

I gripped the broom with all my strength, my palms sweating.

Damn it… if I fall, that’s the end.

“I’m ready. Go ahead.”

She dove straight toward the ground at insane speed. My stomach twisted. But at the very last moment, she braked sharply, and we landed without a scratch.

We climbed off, still a little shaken, and walked toward the front door of her house.

“You live here all alone? That’s… shocking. Living by yourself in a place this big…”

“Yes.”

She pulled out a key, unlocked the door, and gestured for me to enter. I followed, eyes wide.

The inside was just as magnificent as the outside. Every object perfectly placed, not a speck of dust, not a trace of disorder.

How could someone with a personality like hers live in a place this… perfect?

“Do you want something to eat?”

Her question snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Uhm… yeah, I’d like that. Thanks.”

“Uhm… I’m not very good at cooking, so it’d be nice if you did it… come on, please!”

Ah… so that’s why she asked me. She wants me to do everything for her.

“No.”

“Hmph! Come on, I saved you back in the forest! Without me, you’d already be monster food. And I let you stay at my place!”

I knew it… she’d pull out the “I saved you, so you owe me” card.

Well… I do owe her, even if she acts like a spoiled brat.

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

I walked toward the stove, sighing inwardly.

“Thanks!”

She sat down on a chair, impatient, her hands resting on her knees.

Noodles would be perfect…

I rummaged through her cupboards. Nothing. Not a single usable ingredient. Strange… oh right, I forgot. I’m in another world—different technology, different food.

“What are you doing? You’re taking forever…”

She tapped her spoon against the table, still sitting behind me.

“Sorry… can you wait just a bit longer? I’ll be quick, don’t worry.”

“Pff… fine, I’ll wait.”

“What about some soup? Would you like that?”

“Hmm… yeah, hurry up, I’m starving.”

I pulled out a cauldron—probably the one she used for potions. I lit the fire with the wood already prepared and a few matches. I poured in water, added a couple of potatoes, and let it simmer for a while.

I took two porcelain bowls and served the soup. Enough to last us until tomorrow.

“Here’s your soup, Ignis.”

I set the bowl in front of her and sat down with mine.

She took a bite, nibbling on a potato.

“So… what do you think?”

“Not bad.”

I took my first sip, the warmth spreading through me.

“So… um… how do you manage to live all by yourself?”

“Oh, it’s nothing difficult. Every adult has to start taking care of themselves.”

“Hmm… I see. And… um… how do people make money in this world?”

Yeah… I really didn’t plan on staying in the same house with a girl. At least if I knew how to earn money, I could get my own place.

“Oh, that’s easy. You can earn money by taking on quests, by working, or even by joining a guild.”

Not bad… pretty normal stuff. But quests? Guilds? That sounds a little too much like a video game, doesn’t it?

“If you’d like, tomorrow I can show you around the city.”

Hm… perfect, that works for me. But something feels off. Even after a few minutes, I can tell she’s hiding something.

“And why do you want to show me around?”

“Well… we could do a quest together.”

I knew it… why, out of all the possible options, did she have to pick a quest?

“Can’t you at least tell me why you’d rather do quests than get a normal job?”

She sighed, then looked me straight in the eyes with a smile.

“For the adventure and the action… it’s way better than some boring job. Don’t tell me you’re the kind of person who prefers that.”

“I am that kind of person.”

“Then you’re boring.”

She really loves risky stuff… this girl.

“Come on… it won’t be so bad. Besides, it’ll be fun.”

“Sorry, Ignis, but I’m not risking my life.”

She sulked for a moment, then suddenly, her smile returned.

What now… what’s she scheming?

“Did you know there are huge rewards for completing quests?”

Yeah, of course… obvious. Just like the video games I used to play.

“Sure… but I’m not changing my mind.”

“Then… get out.”

Wait… what? She’s serious?

“Uhm… why are you suddenly mad?”

She stared straight into my eyes.

“If you won’t come with me… then leave my house.”

Great… and I really don’t feel like being eaten alive by forest monsters.

“Alright… fine. I’ve changed my mind. A little bit of adventure won’t kill me.”

She smiled, excited. Damn it… she just blackmailed me into coming along.

“It’s time to sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day. Oh, and by the way… there’s a second bedroom across from mine.”

She left right after saying that. I stayed seated, alone. Hmmm… seriously, what did I do to deserve this?

I headed into the room she’d mentioned and collapsed onto the bed.

Tomorrow is going to be… exhausting.