The Apprentice of the Witch

"Hey, did you know there is a witch living in that little house?" A young boy pointed across the river at a cabin.

"Eh, r-really?" One of them is a young girl who exudes fear.

"Yes, yes. I also heard about that." Another boy then said, "My ma also talked about it last night."

"What do you say? Let's go check the place! Maybe we can see the witch."

"But, but, that is dangerous! Granny said everyone from outside is dangerous. Let's just go play somewhere else!"

They are merely three kids. Two boys, and a girl chatting among themselves. They were basically curious, not just about the witch, but about anyone from outside the village. Such topics shouldn't be discussed by their parents in front of the kids.

"A witch? No one told me about this. That's weird."

Another guy perched on branch of tree. He listened to everything since it was close by, or actually the children were too loud. Even still their body movements seemed to whisper.

The man put his book down. He leaped off the tree without givint it any thought. The fears are simply gone when you do it every day. His dark eyes look up towards the blue sky. Lunchtime has arrived, as the sun has risen to its greatest point. It is time to return.

"Argus!!" It was a woman's scream. "What the hell are you doing? You are leaving your father in the field by himself once more, aren't you?!"

Anger can be seen on the face of the woman at the door. This has become a daily occurrence. Escape from the field, reading a book while hiding under a tree, getting caught, and getting scolded.

"Mom, stop shouting!" He approached his mother. Being lectured is bad enough, but when she shouted, it turns into an embarrassing event.

"Ugh, I promised you, I already helped him." The child averted his gaze. "Well, I kinda messed up, so he told me to leave."

Now his mother is the one who moaned. Argus is the only child. The field will belong to him soon enough, but he couldn't even manage some basic tasks. What more could this youngster possibly do beside bothering his parents?

"If I know, this would happen. I should have made another backup." The mother sighed in frustation.

"Can you please, not say that! I promise you, I will try my best. Just, not farming."

Argus isn't a bad young man, he is however a hopeless boy.

"Whatever. wait here! Don't go anywhere." His mother walked inside.

"By the way, what are you cooking today? Isn't it been a while since we haven't eaten meat? Can we eat meat for today!" Argus went into the dining room after his mother. However, nothing is on the dining table. "Wh-where's the food? I thought you were calling me, because it's time to eat."

"Here!" On the table, she places a package.

"What is this?"

"Do you know someone just moved in that empty building across the river?"

"Hmm, I heard it was something about a witch. Is it true?" Argus is full of doubt.

After all, children provided the information. Since the building is hardly occupied, odd rumors about a curse, ghost, or anything like start to circulate. Only children the one who talked about them though. That's how parent prevent their children so they won't play far away or go into the forest.

"I do not know what is this witch you are talking about. but, she arrived yesterday. Since the chief had granted her permission, she moved there This is only temporary, I've heard."

"I… see. So, what about it?"

Although it sparked his curiosity, Argus is aware of how unsettling this will make him feel.

Argus lives in a quiet, little village. The are is surrounded by a river and a dense forest. It takes more than just energy to go in or out. There is not anything to do in the village that would intrigue visitors, let alone make them want to remain. Since there is no inn, shop, bar, cafe, or something, the chief lets an outsider settle into that house.

"Can you delived this food to the person who lives there?"

"Huh? Why me?" Argus seems distressed. "Why do we have to share our food with strangers?"

"Shut up! Go deliver it!"

"But why me? Actually, why us? Is it the chief's order?

"You're asking too many questions! Just go! Until you deliver it, no food for you!" Argus's mother leaves as if she doesn't care.

The boy knew, she wouldn't accept a no under any circumtances. Since there is no choice, he just need to do it. He swapped the package them with the book he was holding.

"Uh…" The man walked slackly for the sake of eating.

The destination is not that far. Argus crossed a small bridge. After walking for a while, he arrived at the cabin.

From the size, there is just froom for one person in the cabin. However, it has a sizable backyard because sometime people placed tree trunks over there. Beyond that is nothing but a deep forest.

Argus repeatedly knocked on the door. "Excuse me!" No one responded to his yells. "Ugh, is anyone inside?" He knocked again.

Only now did the boy comprehend, the house seemed desolate. It is worrying because if you die here, it can be a while before anyone can realizes it.

"Yup, no reply." He assumed that the person must be outside. "Should I leave this by the door?"

It would be much easier to just give up and return home. For sure, there will be no lunch for him though.

Another thing about the building is, there is no lock on the door. Argus hate that. However, it is a requirement because the chief allegedly stated about the outsider was dangerous. So they want to make sure everyone can keep an eye on them if they decide to remain in the village.

"Alright, I am in!"

Argus checked to see whether anyone was here or not. He was unsure. Not because he is entering a haunted place, but rather because the witch is a girl. He's working his best not to perform another mistake.

It won't be funny if there is a woman who appears naked when he enters. Just like one scene in the book he ever read.

There is a lot of stuff scattered around on the wooden floor. Books, papers, seeds, flowers, trash, and many other things. One of the most disturbing is someone's body left lying around like a corpse waiting to be buried.

Is she alive? Or is she already died?

"Oi… are you alright?!" He swallowed. Sweat dripping down the forehead.

Argus immediately put the package on the table and tried to help the girl. He kept a close gaze. The chest is moving, meaning she's still breathing. To gently awaken her, Argus touched her cheek.

"Please wake up! Everyone will be suspicious of me if you die here!" Argus freaked out.

The girl's long brown hair is slightly dusty from lying on the floor. Her clothing are messy. She wore a black top that was too big for her body. The girl probably intended to clean the room. It's such an odd situation.

"Ugh…" She felt dizzy as if her head is spinning. She began to open her eyes.

"Are you awake?"

The girl's head was place on Argus's thigh. The boy grabbed a water bottle.

"Here! Can you drink this?"

Offering a girl who is just awake, is that the proper course of action? He doesn't know. He simply followed what he read in a book.

After drinking, she sat on the ground. Argus maintained his distance to give her space to breathe.

"Ugh, you okay?"

"Well, I am better now. I am sorry to have startled you." Still selt worn out , she forced herself to open her mouth again. "Food is vital, I suppose."

The girl's stomach made a sound.

Did this girl fainted because she didn't eat?

It is their first time meeting, but Argus already felt slightly annoyed already.This is the first time he saw someone fainted from being too hungry. This is probably the reason why his mother asked him to deliver the food.

"Here, eat this! My mom told me to give it to you."

"Uh, I appreciate the offer. I will return the favor when I have the chance."

The girl stood up by herself. She took a sit in the chair. Then she opened the package.

He previously created a mess in the field before, but now he looked around the room. He believed that what he was doing wasn't as bad as this place. The floor, table, bed, everything is messed up. Is this the life of a witch?

"Just wanted to let you know. The house was already in this condition when I arrived."

"I just learned, that witches have the ability to read people's minds."

Yes, this will be the last time he came here

The girl's face appeared expresionless as she peers into the food box. She had anticipated this, but it turned out worse than she thought.

"What made you think I am a witch?"

"Huh? I am not sure. Perhaps, your gigantic hat."

The large black hat hanging on the wall catches Argus' attention.

"You better stop comparing fiction to the real world. Anyway it is true, I can perform basic magic. I didn't deserve to be called a witch. Also, no witch can read people's mind. Actually, maybe there is, but I am not capable of doing something complicated like that."

Argus wondered how she could speak a lot when she is starving.

"Anyway, I am going home now." Argus put on an awkward smile.

"Before you leave, can I ask you a favor?" The girl spoke with low voice.

Argus wants to refuse. However, he will feel uncomfortable as a result of his guilt.

"Let's listen to it first."

"Can you clean this room? Just brush everything outside should be enough."

That sounds like a hassle. Now, how should he refuse? The task is only to deliver food after all. Thinking about my mother, she typically has another plan for the boy.

"Don't think too much. If you don't want to do it. Just say so." She ate the vegetables. "I told you, I am asking this as a favor. Don't force yourself. Especially if you have something to do."

"I am surprised you can ask for help casually like this to a stranger. Is everyone else outdoors as laid-back as you?"

"Maybe, because I am hungry. Anyway, it's as you said. You can refuse simply because we are strangers."

"Ugh, alright. I will help," said Argus with a reluctant face.

Argus has nothing to do. Also, might be better to keep watch on her since she just woke up. He already ate some fruits before. He didn't mind using a bit of his energy just to help a weak girl who just woken up.

Yes, he's actually not a lazy person, Argus convinced himself. He just doesn't want to do anything with farming or ranching. However, fishing appeals to him because it only requires you to wait until the fish take the bait.

"Hmm, I never expected you to agree." She was taken aback. "I promise, I will repay you later." She showed a tiny smile.

"Um, so…"

"My name is Celesta Arcenite with a C. Everyone calls me Celes."

"Huh? Of course your name with a C. It's Celesta." Argus confused.

"No, I mean it's Arcenite with a C. Why is everyone always react like that?"

"Ooh, that's what you mean." Argus seemed perplexed. The girl said, he isn't the only one though.

"Anyway, just call me Celes!"

"All right. You can call me Argus. So Celes, is there anything I should be aware of before I clean up?"

"The moment I arrived, the house was already a mess like this. So, nothing important. Put the trash in the paper bag over there." Celes pointed at the corner of the room.

"Yesterday, I was exploring the forest until late. I was planning to clean it by myself this morning. but I barely eat since yesterday, so I didn't have the energy. Not that I am trying to make excuse here." Celes feels obligated to explain.

It's not like Argus care. At least, the mess was not caused by her.

Since there is no time limit, Argus trying to take it easy. Especially because the person who should be doing this is currently enjoying her meal.

"So, you said you can do magic?"

"I am still learning right now. You could say that I am a witch in training."

"What are you doing in this village?"

"That is a good question. What am I doing here, huh? Well, I wonder."

"Why are you replying as if you don't know?"

Argus collected the trash and then placed it in the bag.

"This village is small and there is nothing interesting here. The last time outsider got here was, I even don't even remember. Maybe five or six years ago. Some of them accidentally came here just because they got lost inside the forest."

Argus looked around. The big trash like paper or leaves is already done.

"The broom is over there." Celes pointed while eating her food.

"You seem to have a reason for coming here."

"I do have a reason. To take a break and do some experiments. No one will bother me if I come to a place like this."

Experiment? Hearing it make Argus uneasy. She claimed to have gone exploring the forest yesterday. Sounds kinda suspicious and dangerous.

"What kind of experiment are we talking about?"

Another responsibility appeared out of nowhere, weighing on his shoulders. He might want to report this.

"I am looking for a better method so plants will grow faster and produce more corps. I just want to make fertilizer, if I am being compelety honest. You can relax. I already explained everything to the chief yesterday."

Once more, Argus believed Celesta was able to read his mind.

"That's good to know."

For a few minutes, there was silence. At the time Celes finished eating, Argus had also finished sweeping.

"Thanks for the food. It tastes bland, and it's all vegetables. Would be much better if it had meat and some spices." Celes dare to said it because Argus seems friendly.

"Do you realize that it was made by my mother? Although, I don't disagree. Say that to my mother by yourself."

"Hahaha… thank you for everything. You've been a huge help. I can handle the rest by myself."

"Sure."

Not intended to linger, Argus took the package and immediately went home.