1 My Power Is...

She had finally arrived... She had actually made it...

A redheaded woman had arrived at Border Town's city wall. She was quite petite, though made up for it with her other 'features'. She looked like she had only just turned 16 years old.

It was hard for her to survive the winter, as she was being chased by numerous witch hunters. She had to hide from both the hunters and demons, but somehow managed to survive it all and reach this promised land.

"Halt! Who are you?" a man stationed on the crude city walls asked.

"I... I'm..." she paused, "I'm Olivia, sir."

"I fear just telling me your name isn't going to cut it miss, I'm going to need to know your purpose of coming here. My name is Carter by the way," he responded.

"I... I want to serve Roland... Are the stories about him true? Does he really accept everyone?" the timid girl asked.

"Are you perhaps... a witch?!" he asked, unable to hide the surprise in his voice.

She nodded, afraid that the stories were a lie. Did she just walk straight into a witch hunter trap? At least she had tried...

---

Her worries were for naught, as shortly after the guard went to get some people, she was welcomed by two other witches. They were named Anna and Nightingale, two stunningly beautiful women.

Olivia saw how the witches were somewhat accepted in this territory. Some of the citizens still looked at them with a fearful gaze, but at least they didn't try to capture them as would have been the case in different towns.

The witches decided it would be better to immediately go to Roland with this new witch. He would be delighted to get another witch in his ranks. Nightingale told Anna that she should bring her there, as she herself had other tasks to complete.

Anna quickly led Olivia to Roland's quarters, it was the place where he spent most of his time.

"The king really likes studying, he's a great inventor! He invents crazy stuff on how to use our powers. We actually survived the winter for the first time! We proved our usefulness against the demons and even some of the citizens have started accepting witches..." Anna kept talking to the girl walking next to her.

'It seems like she really likes Roland,' Olivia thought.

They soon arrived at his quarters. Anna knocked on his door, and swiftly entered when he allowed them in.

"Who's that?" Roland asked.

"It's a new witch, Olivia. She wishes to join your territory and serve you. It doesn't seem like she has bad intentions, but we should still be careful. We have no idea where she came from." Anna informed Roland.

"Hmm, I see. Where did you come from, Olivia? And why did you come here?" he asked her.

"I've heard stories, sir, stories that there is a place where witches aren't hunted..."

"There's no sir here. Please, call me Roland."

Roland was delighted that the story seemed to be spreading amongst the witches, as he could really use their powers to develop his still shabby territory.

"... Yes, sir... Roland... I came from Elea, a village in the mountain range nearby. I was chased out by some witch hunters, I had to survive the winter on my own... I met another witch, she told me her name was Leaf and that there was a Witch Cooperation Association, but that they... failed to survive..." she turned quite sad while telling her story, it seemed like she was on the verge of crying.

After waiting for a moment and recollecting herself, she continued, "Just before they were attacked by demons, a witch came to tell them about this place. That Sir Roland accepts all witches! The few survivors that the Association had are still hesitant about coming here, but I figured it was my last chance at a decent life, so I decided to come over here right away..."

Anna and Roland were quite touched at the girls' story. They also learned that the Association had been attacked?! They had no knowledge of that yet.

"If you don't mind me asking, what are your powers, Olivia?"

"I... I can't tell you!! I can't... It's too embarrassing..." she said, with a bright pink blush on her face.

After seeing how timid the girl was about revealing her powers, he asked Anna to leave them alone for now. Still a bit suspicious about the girl, Anna reluctantly left his room.

"Do you really accept ALL witches?" Olivia asked him personally.

"I promise you, how ridiculous your power might seem, I won't laugh at your power. I'll be able to find a good use for it. So yes, I really accept all witches, other people just haven't realized your potential." Roland reassured her. "If you really can't tell me, why don't you show me your powers instead?"

"Are you sure you want me to use my powers?" the blush on her face intensified, she was currently glowing as red as a tomato.

"If that's easier for you, sure!" he replied.

"You won't get mad at me?"

"As long as it doesn't hurt me, I'm fine with it!"

"O... okay... I'll use it right now..."