Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Witch Kapi
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Misfortune. Ill omen. Bad luck.
That's how people often referred to witches.
-Thwack!
"You little shit! It's you, right? My pen broke—the one I begged Dad to buy me, all because of you!"
-Thwack!
"You! Because of you, the girl I liked dumped me!"
-Thwack!
"Five gold coins vanished from my wallet because of you!"
Witches were beings who always spread misfortune.
That was the reason the witch Kapi was getting beaten by the students.
They'd forgotten their homework.
They'd lost money.
Their belongings had broken.
Or they were just in a foul mood.
The reasons varied, but their malice was directed solely at Kapi.
Because she was a witch who spread misfortune.
Kapi accepted it.
Witches spread misfortune, after all.
'It hurts...'
Of course, it wasn't painless, but if enduring it could forgive the harm she'd caused, that was enough for her.
She knew her own misfortune.
With her tender heart, she knew her mere existence brought misfortune to others.
That alone was a grave sin, so she had no qualms about taking the beatings.
Even when someone tried to help, she refused.
Anyone who helped her would suffer misfortune and end up hating her too.
She silently endured all the violence until the students' rage subsided.
"Huff... huff..."
"Man, she's so damn emotionless again today. Fucking boring."
"Hey, react or something, you little shit."
-Slap! Slap!
The students slapped her cheeks, urging her to make a sound.
But Kapi didn't know what to say and stayed silent, so the students turned away in disgust, as if they'd had enough.
"Tch, what a boring bitch."
Just as it seemed their anger had fully dissipated, the students showed an unusual reaction.
"!! L-Leo...?"
'Oh.'
Leo.
One of the most notorious bullies among the students had appeared.
"Is the witch here?"
"Y-Yeah..."
At Leo's arrival, the students who'd beaten Kapi broke into cold sweats and stepped aside.
Leo looked down at Kapi.
"You've already turned her into a bloody mess. One wrong hit and she'll croak."
His striking red hair framed a face where he clenched and unclenched his fist.
A closer look revealed a scar on his nose—likely why he seemed even angrier than usual.
"Hey, clench your teeth tight. Even a witch's teeth won't regenerate."
At Leo's words, Kapi nodded and gritted her teeth.
And in that moment, Leo did something he usually didn't.
-Whoosh!
He'd enchanted his fist with fire.
Taking a hit like that could kill even Kapi.
But Leo's eyes had long since rolled back in rage, so Kapi closed her eyes.
His fist flew toward her swiftly.
-Thud!
"...?"
She clearly heard the sound of the fist connecting, but no pain came.
Kapi cautiously opened her eyes.
"...Who the hell are you?"
In front of her stood someone's back, blocking Leo's fist.
He answered Leo's question.
"Just an ordinary student from the Holy Kingdom."
With that, he turned around and extended a hand to Kapi.
And, astonishingly...
"Are you alright? Even a witch must feel pain."
His voice felt warmer than any words she'd heard before.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Are you alright? Even a witch must feel pain."
I'd been a bit late after a short chat with Dreania.
Leo... was it? I'd arrived just in time to stop his killing blow on Kapi, but she was already a battered mess.
'...That must hurt a lot.'
If only I'd come a little sooner...
Thinking of the pain she'd endured made my heart ache.
"...Hah, defending a witch?"
As I gazed at Kapi with mixed feelings, Leo snarled from behind.
"Hey, you piece of shit, can you handle this?"
"Probably not."
"Then why the fuck are you—"
"But if I can stop it, I should, right?"
I raised my right hand and flexed it.
His expression twisted instantly.
Having blocked his punch with one hand must have felt like an insult.
As expected, Leo clenched both fists.
"You fucking bastard! Who the hell do you think you are?!"
Flames erupted around both his fists.
A visually and physically violent attack. But...
-Grab.
"Rage like flames is blocked by calm like ice."
I casually caught both fists.
Even if I wasn't at a level to shine in the main story, my current strength was top-tier by this world's standards.
'Good thing my power works on him.'
As I gradually accepted Ruin's holy power, my growth had accelerated and intensified—only natural.
"What the...!"
Leo was shocked at how easily I'd grabbed him.
Following the Goddess's teachings, I kept a kind smile and said,
"Why are you all directing violence at a fellow student behind you?"
"...She's a witch! What's wrong with beating up a witch?!"
"A witch is merely one who brings 'misfortune'—there's no guarantee the witch herself is evil, is there?"
"Spreading misfortune and harming others makes her a fucking villain, you bastard! So shut your crap and... get lost!"
Leo suddenly thrust his knee up.
With both arms blocked, it was his best move now.
-Crack!
"Argh! How...!"
But dirty street fighting was something I'd mastered long ago in the slums.
That was the difference between me and the other holy knights.
The moment his knee rose, I countered with my own, shoving it back.
It hurt him bad; Leo clutched his knee and staggered back. In that gap, I turned, reached out to Kapi, and helped her up.
"Come on, get up. Class is about to start."
"You..."
"I won't say I came to save you. I just came to share the help I've received."
"What..."
Kapi trailed off, confused.
Her eyes widened as she pointed behind me.
"Behind you!"
I swiftly swung my right arm back.
A thud sounded as something connected.
Turning, I saw Leo clutching his chest, choking and gasping.
I scooped Kapi up in a princess carry and waded through the students.
"Please take him to the infirmary. Regrettably, though I'm from the Holy Kingdom, I haven't awakened holy power."
No reply came, but a quick glance back showed them nodding vigorously.
"I'll head to the infirmary first."
I said, looking at Kapi.
But she shook her head side to side.
"Y-You helped me, so now you're in big trouble. This is enough..."
"You mean that 'misfortune'?"
"Yes... It starts subtle but grows stronger. Coming to the academy was a mistake from the start. So, you don't have to help anymore..."
I held her firm as she tried to slip down.
"In our Holy Kingdom, we don't ignore those in crisis."
"Huh?"
"You're in crisis right now. If left like this, your condition will worsen, leading to death soon enough. So let's hurry to the infirmary."
"D-Didn't you hear me? Helping me brings misfortune—"
"So what does that matter?"
"Huh...?"
"In our Holy Kingdom, we don't ignore those in crisis. Be they human, beastkin, animal, or witch."
"B-But..."
"Misfortune is a trial from the Goddess. Without misfortune, fortune isn't as sweet—and misfortune itself brings experience. It doesn't hinder helping others."
Mixing Holy Kingdom doctrine with my personal views left Kapi speechless, her lips pressed tight.
"Well then, shall we go?"
As I finally moved to take her to the infirmary, a familiar voice called from behind.
"High Heal."
-Swoosh...
A green aura spread, cleanly healing Kapi's wounds.
A method different from holy power healing.
"Dreania!"
The dragonkin Dreania had cast an advanced healing spell.
"Why are you here?"
Dreania seemed wary of witches, so why...?
Her answer was simple.
"Hah... Didn't that human of yours ignore my words and run off? Ignoring my goodwill to save some witch..."
Her sharp gaze poked at me.
From her perspective, it was understandably upsetting.
'Affinity...'
Just as I worried it had dropped, she sighed deeply and looked at me with pitying eyes.
"The infirmary teacher won't treat that witch for fear of catching her misfortune, so I lent a hand since you seemed set on pointless effort."
"Ah."
I hadn't thought of that.
She must've seen me as a complete idiot.
"...But."
"Hm?"
Dreania's expression softened suddenly.
She stepped closer and said,
"It was the attitude of a perfect powerhouse. This one approves."