"The Nether Witch."
That was the nickname given to Victoria Grace, who ironically was never quite the graceful type.
From a prestigious family, she was an S-grade in all aspects, taller than most men and more beautiful than most women, the sheer strength that matched her face and body made her look like Venus reincarnate- a Goddess - yet they called her a witch, for how cold she was towards everything around her.
She was unforgiving, quite crude and although she was a Hunter, one may mistake her as a Nether Creature in a human form, hence the nickname; 'The Nether Witch.'
Of course, nobody would say that nickname in front of Victoria, as that could possibly mean death. High grade hunters were to be respected, and as their cooperation was absolutely necessary in neutralising the Nether creatures, amongst the other hunters the leniency of the laws made them to be above others, and they could get away with murder in broad daylight; not at all in the metaphorical sense.
Victoria herself hasn't killed any hunters however, as in her mind that would simply put dirt of the weaklings on her hands, but she did break a few bones and had some hunters retire - her attitude was always so cold and cruel.
Mikel was so isolated in his youth with his social circle that he had never heard of such infamy, and here he was, paying the price for his ignorance.
Yet, his eyes were intense, even more so than his first encounter with the Nether creature.
Their eyes were locked, his hazel to her blue, the tension almost visible and the air quite heavy.
Mikel didn't look away.
***
"Oh?"
The eyes that tried to pierce Victoria couldn't even send a single shiver, it only made him look more frail, yet here he was attempting a staring contest at her, trying his best to overcome the situation with pure will.
"It's cute." She thought.
But will is useless without power.
"Everyone." Victoria commanded. "Move yourselves."
She flicked her index finger, and in an instant he flew away - psychokinesis activated - the force pushing him to hit his back towards the wall, leaving a crack that formed a crate. The walls were meant to be stronger to account for these sort of bar fights, but Victoria supposed even they were no match for her.
Mikel fell flat to the floor. In an instant the bar was empty except Dorian, who was simply staring at them two with a smile.
"Stay down." Victoria advised, "Be a good boy now."
At that moment Mikel mumbled something, and Victoria couldn't hear it at first. It was when he shouted with killing intent that she realised that the man still had a fight with him.
"GO TO HELL!"
The cracks that broke down to remains became stones to throw. Mikel instantly threw each one with agility, aiming directly for Victoria's forehead.
Of course, to Victoria, the attempt was cute at best.
They simply vanished to dust, doing absolutely nothing.
But Mikel didn't give up.
The shards of glass drenched in alcohol, the knife, the fork, the plate shards. Mikel threw everything that could be used as a weapon, even though deep inside he knew more than anyone else that they would do no damage, and sure enough, all of them stopped in front of her face as if there was an invisible wall, before either vanishing or dropping down.
"It's not too bad. Your gift. But…"
Step—
The sound of Victoria's heel rang once and just like that, her hand was on Mikel's neck, lifting his whole weight on her right hand, choking him away. One would think it was teleportation magic, but that wasn't even the case. She simply took a step forward and leaped, and with such speed that in Mikel's mind, it was as if he momentarily lost consciousness and 'woke up' to this checkmate situation.
"...But it doesn't matter. You're too fresh."
"What do you…what do you want."
The voice of Mikel was barely audible at this point with him running out of air, but Victoria simply didn't care, as in her mind it was a way of discipline.
"Everyone needs a hobby. For the longest time I didn't quite know what that hobby would be."
She gently let Mikel's feet touch the floor and released the grip, and immediately Mikel fell on his knees and started coughing and gasping for air, before settling down and looking up at the cold, blue eyes.
"I think I'll try having you. Be a good boy and follow me, I have my car outside."
"...Why me?"
At this point, Mikel's strength was completely gone, and every strand of stress built on top of each other to the point where he simply accepted the situation with blank eyes.
After tilting her head to the side, Victoria answered.
"I'll tell you another thing about us S-grades. You never question why they do what they do. Especially not me."
If Mikel had more energy he'd scream at her, telling her that it was a non-answer and an obvious cop-out, but right now he just stayed silent.
'Went against the first Nether creature, lost a friend, and got beat up by a random lady all in the same day.'
Mikel simply thought to himself that, and he was tired. Physically and mentally. He simply nodded in submission, and silently argued that he'll follow through.
"Good boy." Victoria pet Mikel's head like he was a stray dog, and wiped her hand with an expensive handkerchief and threw it away to the side afterwards. She then flicked her index finger again, and Mikel's whole body was gently lifted, a red aura surrounding the edges of his body, slightly obscuring the air. This time the mode of magic wasn't in combat, and thus he simply felt a strange sense of comfort. He simply closed his eyes, and just like that, fell unconscious.
***
An unfamiliar ceiling and the smell of lavender greeted Mikel when he woke up.
Every part of the body was aching, but the bed was soft and he felt the texture of bandages around his body. He touched his head and the bandages were there too, with his wounds treated with care.
Mikel looked around. A large room - theme of darkish brown and white - was mixed with minimalistic, yet expensive looking furniture as well as a glowing marble floor.
There was plenty of room in the bed and he felt the breeze gently touching his hair as the windows that almost covered the whole side of one of the walls of the room were opened slightly, with netted white curtains dancing and a balcony being visible.
"So, you're awake."
The soft yet firm voice greeted him as he was taking a look around the room with his eyes, and finally, the dreadful witch was suddenly there, by Mikel's bedside.
Victoria looked down at the wounded man. She was amused by how lost he looked.
"Are you not hungry?" She asked.
"We cannot train on an empty stomach."
When he heard those words, he realised that something was wrong.
"What do you mean…train?"
"Did I not tell you, you will become stronger."
"What if I don't want that?"
"Why wouldn't you want that?"
"Look, I've been thinking—" Mikel paused for a bit. Flashes of blood, the ripping of flesh, the scream of his friend stabbed his brain and he had to scrunch his face.
"I've been thinking, maybe this whole...hunter thing isn't for me."
"...and why do you think that's the case?"
"It just…isn't."
It wasn't worth it for Mikel. Going through the trouble of risking his life to fighting dangerous Nether creatures just to live paycheck to paycheck.
"So why did you become a hunter in the first place?"
"Because…"
Mikel paused, closing his mouth shut, contemplating his thoughts.
Family members and relatives of hunters get a guarantee for life. As a 'compensation' for taking their 'precious' sons and daughters to hunt, they get a lifetime of payment from the central government as well as a council house to live in should they wish for it.
"We've given you a place to live, roof over your head." A woman's voice echoed at the back of Mikel's mind.
"So do us a favour too, will you?" A man's voice this time.
"After all, if it wasn't for my mum and dad, you'd still be an orphan." A girl's voice chuckled at Mikel.
"Because, what?" Victoria's voice snapped Mikel out of his muddy memories that he frankly didn't really want to revisit.
"...Because of money, I guess." He said in a sarcastic manner. Victoria straight up realised that there was more to what he said.
"Pfft."
"....what's so funny?"
"There's something you don't understand yet." Victoria smirked.
She pulled a long white over her shoulders to use as a robe, which gave her the aura of authority along with her tall figure and straight posture.
"Follow me," She commanded Mikel, "I'll show you something."