Chapter 12: Wiccan

*Ring* *Ring*

A shop door opened to let in a hesitant teen. He looked about the cramped shop. 'Dusty and full of junk. Fits the usual criteria.'

Noone appeared to greet him as he traipsed about. Most items he could see were behind glass: wooden sticks with gems at their apex, glittering bands inlayed with gemstones, books open to display intricate diagrams. 'I don't recognise much of this equipment. Solely the crystal balls and focuses.'

The books seemed interesting to Hit; perhaps they described the mechanistic basis of magic in this world. Other items, such as magic amulets and staves were overlooked. If he was to use magic, it would be of his own creation. Getting a closer look, he saw a myriad of graphs and mathematical formulas. An exquisite magic circle was drawn on the other page. 'Hm. This is slightly similar to the magic of my universe; the magic circle is at least. However, these formulas are far easier for me to grasp.'

The magic of universes 6 and 7 was often limited to specific races and operated analogous to ki: via sensing one's own power, using a focus of some kind. Other races were forced to dedicate hundreds of years to the craft or undergo body modification. Unfortunately, Hit's race was never very gifted with the ability, it was simply physiologically incompatible.

It was a shame. Hit was incredibly learned, able to make connections and come to conclusions many never would. He would always make sure to research the techniques and abilities of his targets, both out of interest and to not be caught off guard. Although, it was always fun when someone managed to surprise him.

He stepped back and looked at the price tag.

-Matilda Hawthorn's Tome of focus and balance: 500,000 valis-

Hit recoiled. "What in the world!?"

"Find something you like, boy?" A raspy voice sounded from behind.

Hit turned around; he hadn't sensed them.

A hunched elderly woman now sat behind the counter, looking at him with a nearly toothless grin on display. She wore black robes, a pointy hat on her head. Her nose was elongated, a prominent boil on its side. She was very much a cliche witch, a cauldron was even bubbling away next to her.

'Oh yeah... I forgot these people get their kicks from appearing out of nowhere.' Hit spoke calmly. "No, not at these prices. Unless I sell most of my organs, you won't be making any sales today."

"Keh...keh...keh" she cackled at him. "Quite so. And how exactly did a scamp like you find my well-hidden shop, hm?"

Hit shrugged "I'm just sightseeing...".

It was true, the shop wasn't too well hidden. Hit failed to realise that he had peered past the magical barrier obscuring the shop; it was useless against him.

The witch's toothy grin widened. "Was there anything you were looking for, specifically?"

"I just wanted to verify some things. Can I use these tomes to learn magic?" Hit pointed to the Tome behind him. They would be useful later on, if that was the case.

The woman's head tilted; she hadn't expected the odd question. "Not to learn, only refine."

Hit's brows furrowed in disappointment. 'What? But I could understand those pages perfectly. How to control and mould the energy within, adjusting its flow and power. Yes, it didn't have the instructions for meditation, visualisation, or creation of the actual magic force itself, but you could just do that yourself if your body was compatible.' He cupped his chin. 'Am I overlooking something or are these people just stupid?'

Hit pointed to the shelves above. "Those crystal balls, are they used to locate specific people and items?" 'This should show me if the magic tools in this world are even remotely similar.'

The witch nodded. "Yes, they are also used to tell someone's fortune. Would like me to show you yours?"

Hit shook his head. "No thanks, I'll just forge my own path."

The witch cackled once more. Reading the future was impossible, except to a select few gods and adventurers with the necessary skill.

"Lenoa, is someone with you?" A familiar voice called out as two individuals exited from of the back of the shop, a few books in hand. Hit eyed the tomes hungrily. As he raised his head to meet two beautiful pale faces, it was revealed that they belonged to Riveria and her young charge, Lefiya. They were surprised to see Hit so soon, and everyone stood silently for a moment.

"It's you..." Lefiya broke the awkward silence.

"Mr Hit. I did not expect to see you so soon. I see you are doing well.". Riveria greeted him cordially.

Hit nodded. "Just browsing".

The old hag, 'Lenoa', turned to the elves. "Ah, so this is the unblessed one you spoke of". She gazed at Hit in a new light. "You're no normal boy."

Hit narrowed his eyes back at her. "And you're no normal old woman."

"Keh...keh...keh." It seems the witch was enjoying herself; it wasn't often she dealt with such tenacious youths.

Riveria spoke to him next. "Is there something you were looking for, Mr Hit?"

Hit glanced at the books to their side. "I already found it. Those books were easy enough to understand".

Riveria looked surprised. "You... Understand them? Did someone teach you the necessary rituals and incantations?"

Hit looked thoroughly confused. "No? I just analysed the data before me and applied it to what I already knew. It doesn't seem like it will be a challenge to learn".

"Impossible. You're just trying to sound smart aren't you. You can't learn magic just from reading tomes alone." The hag looked more serious then, as if berating a naïve student.

Hit quirked a brow. "Then how exactly would you recommend I learn magic?"

Lenoa spoke a well-rehearsed line "You must either be born with the talent or awaken it with the falna. A grimoire might also awaken your potential, but it is temperamental."

Hit did not recognise the third term. "And where can I acquire a Grimoire?"

"Keh...Keh. You can pay me 200,000,000 valis for one." The crone crowed cruelly.

Hit had grown numb to the ludicrous prices at this point. "Right... Did you pull that figure out of your cauldron, just to make me go away, or are you completely insane?"

The elderly woman chuckled loudly at this. "Can't it be a bit of both?" She settled down and gazed at him with a slightly kinder look. "Boy, you are obviously not ready to learn magic, if you're this much of a novice. You will likely never learn the craft, very few do. At least come back when you're stronger..."

She laughed once again "...and richer! If magic was cheap and cheerful, everyone would be running around causing havoc!"

Hit stuffed his hands in his pockets and made his way to the door of the 'Witch's secret house'. "Hmph. I'm not going to be lectured by people unable to even generate their own energy."

*Bam* The door slammed shut as Hit ran off and melted into the shadows.

The witch tilted her head. "Now what could that have possibly meant?"

Lefiya remembered something important. "...Energy? I think I remember Bete and Tiona saying they felt something weird from him. Purple lines and an odd feeling of wrongness..."

The old witch looked at her little pupil, who hid behind the taller elf beside her. "Hm. Perhaps I was wrong. If he truly is unblessed, he might be using congenital magic, unknowingly."

Riveria was still trying to unravel what Hit meant. "...generate our own energy..."

Hit continued to trudge south, back towards the Hostess of fertility. He was in a foul mood, evident from his scowl and stony face. 'Foolish crone.'

'I'll have to ask the guild for texts on magic. My future 'familia', if I do join one, might possess some as well.' Hit could have likely stolen the texts; it would have been supremely easy to do so if his time skip was more advanced. However, he was a fair man, strange for someone in his line of work. It was for this reason that he was a master assassin, not legendary thief.

Hit kicked a rock as he rounded a corner, he was nearly at the main western road. 'I must attempt more meditation soon, that tome described how to control an energy of some kind. Although, my prior attempts did not awaken ki. I doubt it'll do much... I will need to analyse those formulae and fine tune my thoughts...'

Hit thought back to the levels, skills, developmental abilities, and other intricacies of the Falna. 'Such vague details. One thing is for certain though, a 'falna' changes the fabric of your body and soul drastically. Who knows what I could do if I were to attain one.'

It appeared as though another identical boy walked past Hit, as he walked by the reflective glass of another interesting location: a shop with a plaque that read 'Blue Pharmacy'.

After entering the front, he was greeted by a room that contrasted greatly with the last establishment. It was rather sparse, dimly lit, and there was someone waiting at the counter for him.

A female Chienthrope looked up sleepily from a small book; her floppy ears swayed a little amongst messy brown hair. Faint dark eyebags twitched as she stared at the interloper who strayed inside.

Hit paid her no mind and went to look all around the established. The woman followed him with her eyes, saying nothing. Thankfully, Hit's heart took a rest, as the prices were far more reasonable here. Or was he just shell shocked from before?

Curious. Green and blue liquids sloshed around as Hit shook two glistening test tubes. The green one was 500 valis and the blue one, a little over 9000 valis.

"Can I help you, Sir?". The cashier finally had enough of him disturbing the peace.

"What are these?" Hit brought the items up for her to see.

The demi human tilted her head; one ear flopped from her head, making her look quite endearing. "...Potions..."

Hit clarified his question. "And what are their effects?"

She blinked in befuddlement. "...the green one is a healing potion... and the blue one... a magic potion..."

Hit nodded. 'Fairly useful. The green one heals to some degree, but what property of magic does the other one alter?'

"What does the blue one do exactly? Can it aid in learning magic?"

The chienthrope looked at him incredulously. Who was this person? Even a day one adventurer would know these things. Very few people shopped here, beginners even less so. "...no... it can be used to prevent a person from going mind down."

Hit tilted his head this time, forcing her to clarify.

"...you know...when they run out of mind...needed to power spells..."

Hit nodded again, put the items back and walked out.

Naaza Erisuis sat utterly confused and a little shaken. She had finally met someone who was even more blunt and awkward than her. "Ugh. I feel like I have some people to apologize to."

A short walk later, and Hit was in the courtyard behind the Hostess of fertility. It was an oval area paved with grey stones and was situated to the rear right of the pub; whereas the alley entrance was at the left. One of the waitresses, Anya Fromel, was meowing at a little white cat. The creature meowed back and so did she. The "conversation" went on for some time, until the thing scampered off, perhaps beaten in an argument.

"Could you actually understand any of that?" Hit looked down at the crouching cat girl.

Anya shook her head. "Nyo, but it was fun, nya!"

"Hmph" Hit went back to waiting in place. 'I guess I've done everything I wanted to do today... a little disappointing those potions weren't too exciting, even though I would never use them to enhance myself. Just need to wait for that annoying brat now.' Hit never broke a promise, no matter how inane or pointless.

Rapid footsteps echoed from around the corner and a worried looking Bell made his way into the open. The boy stopped in front of Hit and spoke breathlessly. "I'm so sorry Mr Hit! I got a little caught up down in the dungeon." He bowed and held his arms to his sides in apology "Please! Forgive me!"

"Fufufu" Soft laughter echoed as Syr and Ryuu walked in next and sat next to Anya.

Hit was already fed up with this. "It doesn't matter. Your run here served as a warmup".

Bell smiled; Mr Hit wasn't as scary as he seemed. "Thank you!"

'You won't be thanking me when this over with.' Hit wasn't particularly fond of breaking people's spirits, but the boy asked for this. A cool breeze swept through the empty space around them, ruffling the hair and clothes of all those present. Rocks skittered across the granite floor. Hit had his usual posture, hands in his pockets and back straight.

"I have no idea where you currently stand, so just come at me with everything you've got". The former assassin fixed Bell with a penetrating stare, sending a shiver up the spines of their audience of spectating maids.

The smaller boy lost his footing a bit. "H-huh? B-but you don't have a weapon, Mr Hit! I don't want to hurt you..."

Hit scowled. "I assure you, that won't be an issue. Now stop wasting time. Bring it."

"O-okay!" Bell got into his own fighting stance: one hand held in front of the other, a standard knife fixed in a reverse grip.

... A moment passed for the indecisive boy. Dew accumulated on a leaf, before the drop fell onto the ground below.

*Plip*

"Haaaaa!" Bell shot towards Hit, aiming for his side.

'Slow, wide open, sloppy. So much wasted energy.' Hit swivelled to the side leisurely.

"...Huh?" The wide-eyed boy sailed past his temporary teacher, who had their calculating expression fixed on him as he went by.

Bell overbalanced slightly and had trouble stopping, almost falling over a couple of times. He showed his tenacity by instantly following up with another quick strike. "Gaaah!"

This was just as easily evaded as the taller boy skipped back slightly.

This brief exchange continued for some time; poor Bell never once landed a single blow. In fact, Hit had barely moved from his position at all, and still had his hands hidden.

Sweat gathered on Bell's brow by this point. "Huff...huff...huff..." His posture was far less composed as he panted in place.

The girls were quite impressed. Hit danced around gracefully and Bell... did his best.

Hit patted himself down. "I guess that's your limit... You seem to be agile, so let's see how well you DODGE!" He then entered a boxer's stance, in the blink of an eye, and raced towards Bell.

Bell's exhausted expression morphed into one of shock. "Wha!?" "...gah!" Spittle flew as he was launched back by a kick.

"Bell!" Syr cried out, a hand to her heart.

*Thump*

Bell rolled across the ground and clutched his stomach. He looked at his opponent with one eye open as he curled in on himself. That was the most pain he had ever endured.

Hit looked down at his first ever human opponent, red eyes burning, and spoke with cold indifference. "Get up".

Bell's eyes shuddered in fear. What was this intimidating aura?

The grating words of a red-faced werewolf flashed through Bell's mind; then a figure of a pale faced beauty, blond hair flowing in the wind. "Please Bell... Fight... for me".

Bell shuddered to his feet and got into his pose, forcefully.

Hit nodded and lunged forth to keep up the pressure, holding back a lot more this time. A brief flurry of weaves and dodges by Bell was punctuated by a powerful blow to his vitals once more. A short painful pause later, and the boy re-engaged his stance. This barrage continued until a very bruised Bell fell to the ground, knife clattering beside him.

"...I ... I can't...hah... that's it... I'm done." Bell looked up at the sky, blearily, and gasped for air.

Hit relaxed and shoved his hands away from view. "Hmph, not that terrible. Your persistence is noteworthy".

"Heh... Not that terrible, huh?" Bell chuckled, before straining to get into a sitting position. The winded boy then got up, dusted himself down, and proceeded to bow to his opponent. "Thank you for the spar, Mr Hit!"

Hit stared at him. 'Surprising... he's quite tenacious and motivated. I'm not sure what he's thankful for though... all I did was pummel him a bit. I'm not used to holding back or drawing out my battles.'

"Just gain more experience in the dungeon and find someone closer to your level to spar with frequently, ...you're obviously not used to human opponents."

Bell bobbed his head up and down repeatedly. It looked quite dizzying.

Hit's expression darkened. "However, you have been avoiding my vital points. Care to explain?"

Bell stammered and flailed his arms as he thought up an excuse. "W-well, again, you didn't have a weapon, Mr Hit! Plus, this is just a friendly spar, right?"

Hit's scowl deepened; you should always show honour in a duel. "When you're up against someone with strength comparable or greater than yours, always fight with everything you have. Anything less is an insult."

"…S-sorry..." Bell slumped, before perking back up with a determined expression. "I promise! I'll always fight my hardest from now on!"

Hit shifted impatiently; he hoped this was finally over. "Good. You're young, just take your time and train the best you can."

Unfortunately for Hit's relaxation time, Bell gained a blank expression. "Uuuhhh... What kind of training?"

Hit huffed. 'Do these people not exercise their bodies? I guess that explains why most of these adventurers look so scrawny. They must over-rely on the Falna.'

"Cardio, weightlifting, reflex exercises, martial arts... Anything to get your blood flowing. Do not neglect your body, it is far more important than your Falna." Hit was beginning to feel like adventurers were just weak humans handed undeserved divine power on a platter.

Bell smiled gleefully. "Okay! Thank you!" Bell liked the sound of the first one, he was great at running! ...away from things. But that wouldn't always be the case! The city walls seemed like a good course. He huffed and crossed his arms, tussling snowy white hair. "You really are amazing though, Mr Hit, I couldn't predict your moves at all. And those punches..." The bruised boy winced and rubbed his stomach. "You must have been training your whole life. How old are you anyway?"

'1298'

"... Sixteen." Hit supplied the less mind-boggling answer.

This apparently wasn't any less shocking Bell though, as he cried out in surprise. "WHAT!? B-But then... You're only two years older than me! You look at least eighteen... How are you so strong?"

Hit looked up at the crimson sunset, eyes seemingly focused on something far, far away. "Lifetime dedication to being the best I can possibly be."

Bell gazed in wonder; Hit truly was mysterious.

"Excuse me. Might I have a spar as well?" A feminine voice spoke behind them. It was Ryuu Lion. Dainty feet made little noise as she walked up to Hit.

Hit's red orbs twinkled at her. 'This could be more exciting.'

"Fine."

Bell was not as enthusiastic. "A-are you sure miss Lyon? We're both adventurers, you're just a maid!"

Ryuu turned towards Syr's beloved. "Do not worry Mister Cranel, I have some previous experience. Also, I said to just call me Ryuu."

Bell scratched his head and moved to stand next to the other observers. "R-right. If you're sure Miss... Ryuu"

Alone on the battlefield, the two combatants faced each other. Azure eyes met crimson red as two former assassins sized one another up.

This time, Hit took the initiative and speeded towards the girl, hands held one in front of the other. Ryuu's blue eyes widened, reflecting a much faster boy than before. The she-elf's body curved and veered as Hit launched one straight jab after another at her head, heart, and liver. Both kept their eyes firmly on each other.

*Bam*

Ryuu's frilly uniform, quite unsuited for battle, ruffled as she blocked a punch to her chest and deflected it to the side, and counterattacked with a jab to Hit's face. The boy narrowly dodged the strike, which merely grazed him, yet was now wide open. Ryuu's long leg shot out to meet Hit's stomach, launching her opponent upwards.

Hit used the momentum to flip backwards and landed in a crouched position. A purple mop of hair shadowed Hit's face. He felt something trickling down his cheek and wiped the drop of blood away with a finger. 'That grace. That control. Based on her muscle fibres, she was holding back immensely. This girl... She's a monster.'