Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina (魔女の旅々)

This looks very old.

What is it?

Dunno.

Apparently, we confiscated it as part of some case a long time ago.

I see...

So, what do you want me to do with it?

If you head west and cross the ocean,

there's a place called Qunorts, the Town of Freedom.

This job is to deliver this box

to the United Magic Association branch office there.

I see.

You just have to deliver it and get paid.

Easy, right?

What, that's it?

Why don't you want to do such an easy job yourself, Teach?

Because I'm going on vacation.

Vacation?

I've been working too much. I'm tired.

I see...

Just make sure you don't open the box.

Something dangerous might be inside.

Aye-aye, sir!

I will make sure not to open it!

Well, I'm off, then!

Well then, I guess I should go, too.

"The Two Teachers"

You're working at a stuffy place, as usual.

It's been a year already, huh?

Time and tide wait for no one.

Time flies, doesn't it?

You an old lady or something?

Well? Are you ready?

Probably not, right?

Please wait one moment.

I'll be ready soon.

Miss Fran, do you have urgent business somewhere?

No, I'm going on vacation.

Vacation?

Goodbye.

Kids, make sure you practice your magic.

What? You took on an apprentice?

Her name's Saya.

Apparently, she knows your apprentice.

Saya...

Oh, the girl Elaina helped become an apprentice witch.

It's a small world, isn't it?

Definitely.

I met Elaina, too.

Oh, my.

When I told Saya, she was so frustrated, she wanted to die.

At any rate, it's strange, isn't it?

Huh?

I never thought you and I would end up vacationing together every year like this.

Right? I didn't like you at first, Fran.

And I didn't like you, Sheila.

This is the story

of when I was still an apprentice witch traveling with my teacher.

Huh? What did you just say, ma'am?

I think I'm going to take on an apprentice.

Um, am I not an apprentice?

I was thinking I'd like another one.

I think that should be your decision.

But if I decide without asking you, you'll get mad, right?

You already have someone in mind for your other apprentice, don't you?

Bingo.

I knew it.

Don't worry, Fran.

What?

She's a good girl, so I'm sure you'll like her, too.

Hey, over here!

You're late, Teach!

You've got guts to make me wait.

Sorry about that.

It took some time to convince my apprentice.

Will you please refrain from telling lies so casually?

Oh?

So she's my senior apprentice?

She looks really weak.

Huh? Whaddaya want?

Don't stare at me. You wanna fight?

Ma'am, just what part of her is a "good girl"?

She's been glaring at me and spewing insults since the moment we met.

What'd you say?!

Now, now, you're fellow apprentices, so you need to get along.

Very well.

Nice to meet you. What's your name?

I have no name I want to give you !

This is Fran. And this is Sheila.

Be nice to each other from now on.

Ma'am, I don't think that's possible.

And so, my teacher and I began our journey together with Sheila.

The two of us were like oil and vinegar.

What shall we have for dinner?

Fish? Or Beef?

I'd like fish.

I want meat.

Huh? You wanna fight?

Is that all you know how to say?

Are you stupid? Are you an idiot?

Is that all you can say?

You've got a puny vocabulary.

Then, let's meet in the middle and have bread.

Huh?

Fire magic and ice magic. Which shall I teach you today?

I'd like to learn about ice magic.

Huh? It should be fire. Stop messing around!

Then, let's meet in the middle and take a break today.

If your wand gets taken away, how would you fight?

With martial arts! Teach us some martial arts!

Please teach us how to use a bow.

Huh?!

Then, let's meet in the middle. I'll teach you how to use knives.

Knives?!

This is how you hide them.

When you draw them, do it...

...like this,

in a sexy way.

You're the only person I don't think I could ever become friends with.

Oh, my, what a coincidence.

You're the only person I don't think I could ever become friends with.

During our travels over many months,

we took on a job from United Magic Association

in Qunorts, the Town of Freedom.

"No mages!"

"Don't fear mages!"

"Mages are children of the devil."

What the heck? Are they picking a fight with us?

It appears magic users like us are not welcome in this country.

I wonder.

Just because something like this exists here

doesn't mean we should reject the entire country.

If we do, then we'd be the same as those putting up these posters and signs.

Welcome! We have been waiting for you!

Madam Witch, to cut to the chase, the job is--

How much does it pay?

I was going to tell you what the job was first...

How much?

Um... ten gold coins.

Oh, she looks really happy.

And? What's the job?

Right, working behind the scenes in this town

is a suspicious group calling themselves the Curio Company.

I see. The Curio Company.

I'm sure you've seen the posters and signs around town defaming mages...

Oh!

Those, huh?

The Curio Company is a band of robbers

made up of people who can't use magic.

Since they can't use magic,

they can't stand the mages who can get in their way,

so they harass and defame mages.

Why don't you guys just catch them?

You're mages, right? It should be a piece of cake.

Is it really necessary to pay a large sum to travelers

to resolve the situation?

You're absolutely right, but...

You have other reasons, right?

Yes.

The Curio Company has some mysterious tools.

Mysterious tools?

A sword that can cut an unlimited number of times,

guns that can shoot hundreds of bullets,

matches that show visions of mythical beasts...

They're mysterious objects that can draw out the user's special powers

to make them as strong as, or even stronger than mages.

Tools like that exist?

Yes. They are able to use tools like that skillfully,

leading mages around by the nose and then escaping successfully every time.

In this town, no one trusts that mages can do anything anymore.

Very well. I promise that this will be taken care of.

Thank you very much!