Synopsis

Nothing in this world is more dangerous than a witch. The epitome of fear and terror, they can summon floods on a whim, conjure balls of fire out of the air, or even destroy entire countries overnight. Incur their wrath, and no one is safe.

At least, that’s what everyone thinks, and it’s the very reason they all want Siasha dead. After yet another violent battle for her life, she teams up with Zig, a mercenary, and they depart for unknown lands to find somewhere she can live in peace. But is the pair any match for the lost magic and vicious monstrosities that lie ahead? (Source: Seven Seas Entertainment)

A Witch Wants to Start a New Life!

Written by Chohokiteki Kaeru and illustrated by Kanase Bench, one of Seven Seas Entertainment’s latest licenses, Witch and Mercenary, is a tale of persecution and belonging.

The series’ premise follows the adventures of Siasha, a witch, and Zig, a mercenary she hired. No longer wanting to be hunted and persecuted on home soil, Siasha asks for Zig’s help to create a new life for herself on a land known as the Unknown Continent. In a world very different from their own, the two will face difficult challenges and adjustments to capture the peaceful life they seek.

After meeting on the battlefield, the story of Siasha and Zig’s adventures begins as they land on the Unknown Continent in search of a new life. Unlike the land of war that they’ve come from, the Unknown Continent is relatively peaceful and is characterised by aspects that light novel enthusiasts will be intimately familiar with. In this new land, monster battles and adventurers rule the roost.

In order to streamline their quest for a peaceful existence, the two decide to blend in and become adventurers. From this point, the first volume takes a tried and true route where the deuteragonists take on different adventuring quests, hoping to climb up the ranks.

For the eagle-eyed amongst my readers, you might have noticed by now that there are clear differences between the official synopsis and my description of the story, and you are right to notice. The synopsis of this story would suggest a series filled with danger, as Siasha’s status as a witch and the persecution that comes along with it would constantly bring obstacles to her aspirations of peace. While this might have made for a better story, there’s still plenty of interesting depth to be found as this story focuses on how societal outcasts can adjust to more amenable environments.

The strength of this story, then, falls on the shoulders of the interactions between the two protagonists. Essentially strangers at the start of the story, their journey together opens a dialogue between them, allowing them to share their vulnerabilities and reflect on the lives they’ve lived up until now. Moreover, these interactions offer the author some great opportunities to impart some world-building wisdom. Conversations about world hierarchy and the inner workings of mana come naturally, given their previous roles.

This does not mean that these segments are free from fault. One of the major issues with this volume comes about due to a lack of POV from Siasha’s perspective. Of the two characters, Siasha is the driving force behind the journey to the Unknown Continent, and she’s the one who wants to start life afresh. A missed opportunity, her storied past and isolated upbringing would’ve brought a level of manoeuvrability and depth that can’t be captured through Zig’s perspective alone. 

Overall, Witch and Mercenary’s first instalment makes for a fine foundation for the series. Despite the misleading synopsis, the author’s knack for character interactions and world-building manages to bring the series back onto solid ground. Hopefully, as the series continues, there’ll be more of a push to provide Siasha with her own unique POV.

I Give Witch and Mercenary Volume 1: 7/10