116: Eleanor Witch

“...Wait, this child’s attribute...”

“No way... Is it Darkness?”

“Impossible. House Witch only produces those with the Light Attribute. She's... an accursed child.”

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—Nine years later.

“Eleanor! Are you hiding in a place like this again?”

“Big sister?! How did you find me here?”

Our estate sat in a rather remote area. At a riverbank just a short distance from the house, I sat alone, soaking my feet in the water.

“I can always tell where you are. Come on, let’s head back. There’s a huge feast waiting for us today.”

“B-but... Father and the others will get mad if I show up...”

“There’s no need to worry about that. You’re my younger sister, aren't you?”

Our family, House Witch, is a prestigious lineage famous for the Light Attribute passed down through generations. It is a venerable bloodline that has spent centuries purging malice, slaying monsters, and struggling to protect its territory.

But I was different.

In the attribute assessment conducted after my birth, I was certified as Darkness. Not just any Darkness, either—it was a void without a single speck of light. The abyssal Darkness.

Throughout history, wielders of Darkness have been nothing but cruel, heartless people. Some have even caused world-altering disasters.

And... my mother died the moment I was born.

They say Darkness and Light repel each other. My mother wasn't a pure Light Attribute user, but even so, her death was likely my fault. My sister tells me it was just an accident and had nothing to do with me, but I can’t bring myself to believe her.

Because of that, for as long as I can remember, my father has loathed my very existence. The only reason I haven't been kicked out into the streets is that my sister always shields me.

I love her so much, and yet, I always feel so guilty.

“Come now, Eleanor. This way.”

“...But.”

“It’s fine. I want you... I want you to celebrate with me.”

“...Okay.”

Today was my sister’s birthday. She had already mastered Light Magic and was actively fighting monsters. I had tried to join her before, but despite the fact that my Darkness was said to possess immense mana, I couldn’t defeat a single creature.

I didn't even want to remember the look of sheer exasperation on my father's face back then.

“Sierra, where have you been? We can’t start without the guest of honor.”

“My apologies, Father. Here, Eleanor. Sit.”

“U-um, okay...”

My sister pulled me by the hand, guiding me to one of the chairs where our relatives were gathered. Father sat at the very head of the table. With his deep-set, piercing eyes, he was said to be an exceptionally gifted mage, even within the long history of House Witch.

No relative or servant dared to openly condemn me, but I knew they didn't exactly have warm feelings toward a child of Darkness. Perhaps it was a side effect of my attribute, but I was hyper-sensitive to the atmosphere around me. Malice and disgust felt like physical needles pricking my skin.

She’s an accursed child.

To think her older sister is so gifted while she’s... that.

Honestly, if only Eleanor had never been born.

The faces of my relatives said it all. In their hearts, they loathed me.

“Look, Eleanor, there are plenty of sweets, too.”

“...Yeah.”

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts—

“Sister, I’m so sorry!”

“Wait, Eleanor! Where are you going?!”

“Sit down, Sierra. Leave that thing alone.”

“I can’t do that! I—”

“If you refuse to fulfill your duties, Sierra, I cannot keep Eleanor under this roof.”

“...I understand, Father.”

◇

My dream was to become an adventurer.

I wanted to live alone—unbound by anyone, bothering no one, and relying on no one. It made me sad to think I wouldn't see my sister anymore, but my presence was just a burden to her. If I were gone, everyone could finally be happy.

“Found you, Eleanor!”

“...How? How do you always know?”

I was gazing down at the town from the top of a cliff, a little further away than usual. My sister sat down next to me with a carefree smile.

“I know everything you’re thinking. Here, eat up.”

“Eh? W-wa-waah?! S-so many?!”

Sister started pulling an impossible number of sweets from inside her clothes. She had apparently used Light Magic to keep them clean and even produced paper plates to go with them.

“Here, let’s eat together. You’re much too thin and small. You need to eat more if you want to grow up big like me!”

“Ehehe, thank you. But... I’m sorry.”

“You apologize way too much. But... honestly, I should be the one saying sorry. For not being able to do more.”

“W-why are you apologizing, Sister?!”

“...If I were stronger, I wouldn't have to let you feel this way. I’m going to become stronger—more important. So, just hang in there until then.”

“...Ehehe. I love you, Sister.”

“I love you too, Eleanor.”

True to her word, my sister grew stronger at a staggering pace. To everyone's shock, she even mastered the Wind Attribute.

However, I had also grown a little stronger in my own way. I worked desperately hard, knowing it was pathetic to rely only on her. My mana was still difficult to control, so I specialized in a simple, brute-force technique: flooding my hands with mana to crush monsters.

Magic was difficult. Even though I was a noble, I wasn't allowed a tutor. But I didn't hate facing the Darkness alone. Strangely, my power felt stronger when I leaned into my resentment for the world.

Ah, maybe it's because when I'm in this headspace, I don't have to lie to myself. I can just be Darkness.

By the time I turned thirteen, I had become somewhat capable in a fight. I suppose they finally saw me as a usable pawn. Whenever monsters appeared, I was occasionally dispatched alongside my sister.

But then, for the first time, I was entrusted with a subjugation mission all by myself while my sister was away in the Royal Capital. It was a direct order from my father.

I was stunned. Nothing like that had ever happened before.

“Eleanor, your Darkness is a stain upon the House Witch. However, your recent performance has not been entirely useless. Go and see this mission through.”

“...Yes, Father.”

I had resented him for years, yet for some reason, I felt a spark of joy. I didn't know why. I hated the man, but I think I just wanted to feel like I could finally stand on equal footing with my sister. If I could fight, she wouldn't have to worry about me. If something happened to her, I could be the one to protect her.

“If I recall, it should be around here...”

“Gugya-gugya!”

Deep in the forest, I was supposed to be purging low-level monsters. Instead, I found an Undead Monster larger than anything I had ever seen. It looked like an Ogre or a Cyclops, but its mana and physique were far more massive. Its entire body was a pitch-black void; it didn't even look like a living creature.

“Gugya-gugya!”

“...Kuh!”

It was strong. I was hit again and again. It was unprecedented—the thing moved with the agility of a human warrior as if it were being controlled.

At that moment, I felt an aura like cold blades pricking my back. I spun around. I couldn't see anyone, but I knew someone was there. Someone was pulling the strings.

“...What is going on?”

I didn't understand. But all I felt was malice. A cold, calculating intent to kill me. Who would do this?

But I couldn't die. I wouldn't. If I died, my sister would be devastated. I refused to lose.

“Pant... pant...”

I somehow managed to slay the beast. But something was wrong. Not a single drop of blood fell from its carcass. It was as if it had been constructed entirely out of mana...

“As I thought... your power is too strong. Just like his. Just like your father's, Eleanor.”

A voice called out from behind me. That voice... that figure. It was my father.

“Why are you here...?”

“I need you to die, Eleanor.”

Father glared at me with eyes that suggested he was looking at a pile of garbage. A malice far darker than anything I’d felt before pierced through me.

“Kill me...?”

Father was a master of Summoning Magic. Ah, I see. That monster just now... it was Father's.

“Yes. Exactly as I said. You are unnecessary to House Witch. No... if you are allowed to live, you will be the ruin of this family.”

“I don't understand... what are you talking about?”

It made no sense. I was born into Darkness and despised for it. I was used to the slander, but Father's words carried a weight of terrifying sincerity.

He spoke quietly, his voice devoid of warmth.

“This is the end. I’ll tell you the truth. You are not my child. You were born from my wife, Siria, and another man. You are his, Eleanor.”

“Another...? No, that's impossible. What are you saying—?!”

“...It is hideous to even imagine. Siria betrayed me. She had an affair with a man who possessed the Dark Attribute, and you inherited that filth in its purest form. Well, I’ve already killed your real father, regardless.”

I wasn't his child?

That... no, that didn't matter. But he killed him?

...Wait.

“...Did Mother die because of you, too?”

“That was a coincidence. I only learned of her betrayal after you were born. But it left me in a predicament. Even if she is dead, if it were leaked that Siria was such a degenerate, my name—no, the very name of House Witch—would be defiled. Furthermore, your biological father was a cruel, wretched man. A criminal.”

I didn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. Yet Father didn't stop. He continued his cold, calm explanation while hurling his malice at me.

“But he was a gifted mage. You inherited that power. I thought I could use you as a pawn, but you’ve become far stronger than I anticipated. I realized that eventually, people would notice you aren't mine. I tried to kill you many times before this. But I couldn't.”

“...You couldn't?”

I didn't want to hear that he’d tried to kill me. But I couldn't understand why he’d failed.

“Sierra was protecting you. Every time I released a Subjugation beast, she interfered. She refined her Mana Sense to the point where she always knew your exact location. She hated the idea of going to the Royal Capital, but she practically skipped there when I lied and told her it was to find you a magic tutor. Do you have any idea how much effort it took to manufacture this one window of opportunity?”

“Sister did all that...?”

I had no idea. How could I have known? That she had been my guardian all this time...

That was why she always knew where I was hiding. She had been protecting me from our own father.

“But even I am not without mercy. Your mother was the one who betrayed me; you are technically innocent. So... please, die quietly. If you do, Sierra will use your death as fuel to become even stronger. House Witch will become an unshakable power. But if you live, the truth will come out, and House Witch will fall. Sierra would be cast out onto the streets. She is talented. She deserves to be happy.”

“...If I die, Sister can be happy...?”

“Yes. This is the best way for everyone. My heart aches, truly, for you are not at fault.”

“...Sister...”

I was... a mistake. An unwanted child. And all this time, I had been nothing but a weight around my sister’s neck. If I died, she would finally be free.

Would she be sad? Probably. But it would be better if I weren't here. I was always, always causing her trouble, even when I didn't realize it.

“If that's the best way...”

“It is. I will tell Sierra that you fought bravely against a monster and died a hero's death. She would want that.”

“Sister... would be happy...?”

I didn't know what to do. But she had done so much for me... and I was just an unwanted child.

“...I understand.”

“Good girl, Eleanor. You aren't my blood, but for the first time, I actually feel like praising you.”

I’m sorry, Sister. Thank you for everything.

“Goodbye, Eleanor. In your final moments, you shall finally serve a purpose worthy of House Witch—”

Father pointed his palm at me, his mana surging. I steeled my heart and closed my eyes.

The next second—I heard my favorite voice in the whole world.

“What do you think you’re doing to Eleanor, you piece of trash?!”

“Wh—?! G-gyaaaaah?!”

“...Sister?!”

There she was. My sister had appeared out of nowhere and... well, she had apparently kicked Father with every ounce of strength she possessed. He went rolling across the forest floor.

She stood before me, arms folded, chest puffed out as she screamed at the top of her lungs.

“You idiot! I was watching the whole time! I was wondering what you’d do, and you just give up?! Do you have any backbone at all?! What were you even born for?!”

“Sierra! How dare you strike your own father!”

“Shut up, you piece of trash! You're the definition of toxic!”

“T-toxic—?!”

“Eleanor, our parents are crap. Both of them. But listen to me: your will belongs to you. It doesn't matter who birthed you. We’re going to live our own lives!”

“...But, Sister...”

“No 'buts'! Eleanor, what do you want? What do you want to do?!”

I wanted to be with her. I wanted to laugh with her. I wanted to share meals and talk about nothing until the sun went down.

“...I want to... I want to stay with you, Sister.”

My sister flashed that familiar, radiant smile.

“Then that's how we’ll live. Because we’re sisters.”

At that moment, Father began gathering his mana again. But my sister wasn't about to miss that. She kicked him one more time for good measure and turned back to me. Father wasn't weak by any stretch, but my sister... she was on an entirely different level.

“Hmph. That’s settled then. So, Eleanor—first things first, we’re taking over House Witch.”

“Sierra! What on earth are you thinking?!”

“Father, I’ve already sent word to Grandfather about what you’ve been up to. My trip to the Royal Capital was actually to file that report. You’ll be arrested shortly for the attempted murder of your own daughter. Thanks for the memories. I’ll be taking over as Head of House now.”

“What?! You can't possibly do that!”

“Oh, I can. Because I’m not alone.”

“Damn you! I treated you as my own daughter, but I’ll kill you right here—!”

Father’s mana flared again. It was monstrous. He was genuinely trying to kill her.

—I won't let him.

Before I knew it, I had lost myself to instinct.

“What do you think you're doing to my sister, YOU BASTARD?!”

“—Gyaaaaaahhhhhh!”

---

After that, Father was hauled away by soldiers. My sister did indeed take over House Witch—the first female head in our long history. And she did it at the age of thirteen.

“Eleanor, having trash for parents isn't that uncommon. It’s sad, sure, but if you have time to mope, you should use it to look forward. It’s much more fun that way, right?”

“Yeah... Sister, thank you.”

“Don't thank me. You’re the one who’s been supporting me all this time.”

My sister had been pulling strings behind the scenes for a while. She told me later that she’d found out we were half-sisters during that process. She admitted she felt conflicted when she realized Father was trying to kill me, but she never let it show.

Once she became the Head of House, she took on all the work herself. It wasn't easy. I tried to help, but the relatives were always badmouthing her. I couldn't stand it.

“She’s just a child, and a woman at that—”

“Hey. If you say one more word about my sister, I won't forgive you.”

She was working her heart out. I wouldn't let anyone mock her. Within a few years, everyone who complained about her performance had vanished.

But one day, my sister finally let her guard down. She cried quietly as she spoke to me.

“Eleanor, it’s just the two of us. I’m so glad you were here. Let’s stay together forever.”

“Yeah, Sister. I’ll protect you.”

“Me too, Eleanor.”

I swore to become stronger. I wouldn't let anyone look down on her, no matter how small the slight.

One day, some time after she became the Head of House, she made a sudden announcement: she wanted to enroll in the world’s most prestigious Academy.

“You mean Noblesse?”

“That’s right. We need more authority, and graduating from there will give us the prestige we need.”

“It’s incredibly hard to get in, isn't it? Okay. I’ll work my hardest so I can follow you in!”

“What are you talking about? We’re going in together.”

“Eh? But age-wise, you should go first—”

“Waiting a year or two is nothing. We’re always together, right?”

“...Yeah!”

And so, we both passed the entrance exams. Even at the Academy, my sister was incredible, always at the top of the rankings. I worked myself to the bone to keep up. Yet, she still tried to shield me. I’d grown strong, but I wanted her to be able to live more freely.

Then, for once, my sister made a selfish request.

“Hey, Eleanor. I heard Vai is going to Duran, so... do you mind if I go for a bit? It’s a pain, but I should probably look after my junior.”

She would never normally say something like that. She hated being away from me. But it made me happy. Since meeting Weiss, she had started talking about her own feelings more. I’m certain she likes him.

“Of course. Are you worried about Weiss?”

“N-no! It’s just that Duran sounds fun, and I am his senior, after all!”

But when I heard about the Pseudo-Demons, I was terrified. My sister is still trying to protect me. In her mind, I’m still that weak little girl.

But I’m not. I’m not a crybaby anymore. I’ve become strong so that she doesn't have to worry. And today, I’m going to prove it.

The final program of the Sports Festival—today's the day.

“Sister, I won't lose. I’m going to win.”

“...You’re unusually fired up.”

“Because I’ve become strong.”

“...Well, we’ll see about that.”

She laughed, just like she always does. But I’m going to win and show her that I can stand on my own. I want her to spend more time on herself. I want her to be honest with her heart.

I am Eleanor Witch.

Light, Darkness—I don't care about any of that. I don't care if my parents were trash. I just want to surpass my sister and become someone worthy of protecting her.

That’s why I will win this match—no matter what.