Glitter and Gains: She’s Moe, She’s Muscular, She’s Magic!

Penulis: Grace Prikasih – UKI

“A female boxer transported into a magical world and turned into a witch is constantly mistaken for an evil villain, while all she truly wants is to work out, read, and bake cookies in peace. A story of Glitter and Gains: She’s Moe, She’s Muscular, She’s Magic.

The Accident

The “Iron Fist Beauty”. That was her title.

Strong.

Unbeatable.

A Monster in The Ring

Her name takes fame in her streak of victory. A strength surpassing everyone and every opponent in her way. Her hard work and determination push her to the very top of the competitions.

It was no wonder she have many “enemy”. People who are jealous of her accomplishments yet never once look at her journey. People who criticize her despite never knowing what she been through.

And it was only a matter of time before something happens to her.

The shriek of the train was the last thing she remembered

One second, she was standing on the station platform, gym bag slung over her shoulder, music blasting from her headphone. The next, a hard shove that felt like purposeful rather than accidental sent her tumbling forward. Crowd screamed, the light blurred, and the train roared as the steel wheel against the rail towards her—then, nothing.

A New Start

When Pepper opened her eyes, there is no more the smell of iron or asphalt, no more crowd, no more panicked shouting, and no more pain. Just soft grass and unknown sky above her. Streaks of violet and gold painting the clouds as the air hums around her, as if charged with unknown energy.

Her body felt… different. In a good way. She felt whole, strong even. Stronger than she ever feels before. She flexed her fists out of habit, eyes trailing her hands and then to her body, expecting to see bruises but found none.

“What… just…” She mutters, her confusion are palpable as she pushed herself upright. Her belongings are gone, gym bags, headset, phones, etc. No trace of it, only her clothes she wore before. She clench her fist again, only this time sparks of light swirl faintly around her knuckles, like embers dancing in a fire and jolts of electricity surging through her veins.

“Woah… So cool!” Her enthusiasm shines through her confusion—despite the truth she’s no more in the city—She manage to find the positive in such a strange world.

The field stretch wide into a dense forest, mountains glowing faintly as veins of light pulsed through their stone. She doesn’t know what it’s called yet but it sure do looked cool!

A rustling nearby drew her attention and a creature emerges—a rabbit, with wings, so soft looking and fluffy. It approaches her, perhaps drawn to her positive light. before bolting when she reach her hand to it.

“Aww… I wanted to pet the bunny…” Pepper sighs and pout before shaking her head and chuckles. For now… She’ll explore.

She wandered around until she found a rundown cottage at the edge of a village. The roof creaked, the forest around it give totally creepy vibe, and she can hear strange murmurs from somewhere without being able to pinpoint it. And yet inside it’s… cozy? Cozy enough anyway, she can work with this. Pepper decided this will be her home! She cleaned it, patched any leaks, fix any random holes, even burn any molds that appears in the cracks with the help of her newfound power. And soon enough, the dreary cottage still… looked dreary, but inside is more comfy, that’s for sure! with the smell of baked goods and teas instead of mildew.

With her new life, her routines do stay the same as her old one: working out in the morning—courtesy of enchanted stones she uses. Afternoon book reading with books she founds on the town nearby, and evening baking that sometimes attracted the local children—Which she didn’t mind, the children are cute, and she likes to share.

But even the nicest things can be misinterpreted. And soon, rumors spread like wildfire.

“There’s a witch nearby!”
”The new witch is brainwashing the children!”
”I heard the witch lift those heavy ancient stones! She must be summoning the great evil!”
”I saw her brewing potions in her cauldron! It must be mind-control!”

The rumors spreads, and people become suspicious, afraid even. Pepper hear things here and there, and can only sighs and shake her head in confusion. “But it’s chocolate chip… do they never see it? Why are they calling it cursed soul-crystal?” She mutters in her confusion as she continues to bake.

She sees the irony in here as oppose to the old world. She was a winner, an underdog, the one that intimidates even the strongest opponent, where people fight her with something to prove. Yet in this world? She was instantly a villain—just for existing.

Then again, the world can think what they want. she never cared for others validation.

Heroes, Hearsay, and Heavy Lifting

The day started normal like any others

As normal as it is for Pepper anyway—Hair tied to a bun, a leisure clothes, and two giant boulders she lift on either hands. Blissfully working out with what she have.

“One… Two… Three…” She muttered with utter focus, counting reps with the focus of a monk in meditation. Magic flicker faintly around her arms, strengthening her muscles and stabilizing the stones. To her, this is training. Just training. Yet to secret onlooker, it may have lookde like some sort of demonic summoning.

“She raising stones to call an earth Titan!”
”Is she training her body to host a demon king?!”
”Is she preparing for a war?! A takeover?! Oh gods above, help us!”

The mutters and gossips continues spreading and strike worry and fear.

Meanwhile, Pepper had baked banana bread with various nuts and berries so it’s rich with fiber and protein.

And of course, the kids showed up upon smelling the baked goods wafting from her cottage—how? That’s just how kids are. They knocked timidly on the door and Pepper opened it—Apron tied tight, flour streaked across her cheek, and hair tied to a space bun and everything.

“Oh? Hi little one! Do you want something?” She said cheerfully and notice the timid but wide eyes. She doesn’t even need them to say anything before she cheerfully goes back inside her cottage only to emerge with perfectly sliced banana bread for the kids to share.

“Eat up! I will make tea for us, alright?” She let them play on her porch and front yard as she brew tea. Humming a melody

Gossip, Guilds, and Glazed cookies

By the end of the month, Pepper reputation has evolved from being “A strange woman in the woods” to “The Dire Witch of Tivalen”. A name that’s so ridiculous as she has done nothing but chilling. And yet the gossips continue to circle around.

She didn’t even notice. Her focus are literally her gains. Workout with what she have. Besides, there’s a whole forest filled with anomalies and creatures misbehaving. A great punching bag- I mean, “training buddies.” Yes. TOTTALY training buddies.

Every few hundred steps, anomalies will popped up. Shard of floating crystal, time and space rift cracking in the air, hydras ambushing, etc. Pepper solve these problems attentively—And by that, she’s doing it with brute force and punches.

A floating crystal that spews lies? Punch it till it’s dust

A ripped of other dimension opening in the air? Just close it back with brute force, and sew it back.

Getting ambushed by monsters? Bonk it on the head and scold it like the naughty beasts it is.

Nothing faze her here, not when she knows her strength and most of the monsters are fluffy anyway. To her, this was workout, with an extra magical flair into it. And to the unlucky mushroom gatherer who just stumbled upon her uppercutting a werewolf? Well, they were lucky it wasn’t them, but it might as well proof that she is capable of beating things with “Forbidden Martial Sorcery.”

One time, Pepper stroll around the village market for some flour and sugar, as well as any fruits she can find to be added in her baking. The moment she steps into the village, all went silent. Men peeked nervously over their mugs, women peeked from the window of their house while holding their kids back, seller trembling and sweating with BIG nervous energy.

Pepper found the seller with flour and approach it, the seller trembles as she point at the sack of flour next to her booth and squeaked “Please don’t hex me, O’ mighty one…” with a trembly and meek voice.

Pepper just stare at her with a smile and tilt her head confused, “Hm? Hex? Why should I?” But before the seller could say more, Pepper hand her the amount of money needed to buy the flour and just hoist the bag over her shoulder as if it weighs nothing—which in her case, it doesn’t. And just goes back to the woods after she get everything in her shopping lists. Oblivious to the locals fear of her as she just thought they are giving discounts.

Once she goes back to the woods and out of earshot, the whispers starts.

“She devours flour to fuel her rituals!” ”She’s preparing a feasts for a demon army! We’re doomed!” ”I saw her punch a hole in the sky once!” And so forth.

With all the rumors and allegation against her, words spreads beyond the village. Adventurer around Meadwynne began arriving in town, drawn by this rumors and words of a witch that folded an ogre like a lawn chair and bending Will-O-Wisps into her palms. Wanting to try their luck challenging her—With each one getting their asses handed to them like it’s yesterday’s rubbish.

The rumors around her grew grander and sillier everyday that even Ramune caught wind of it. Not that he cared, he knows rumors and gossips are just that—Rumors and gossips. Machi and Kaffu can only shakes their heads at the village antics and just chuckles it off when the villagers talk to them about it. Having no interests from the start because they live long enough to know it’s and exagerations.

One evening, just as she pulled a tray of glazed cookies from the oven—decorating it with almonds and shaved coconuts on top—a knock rattle her door, startling her out of her humming.

“Coming!” she said cheerfully.

When she opens the door, she’s greeted—rudely— by an old man in a long coat. Standing there with haughty aura and disapproving gaze, carrying an guild insignia. His eyes are sharp and condescending as he scanned her up and down.

“Pepper Minty,” he said with that old voice. “By decree of the Tivalen Adventurer’s Guild, you are to cease your use of unregistered marital art witchcraft. Such arts are forbidden.”

Pepper blinked “…You mean my boxing…?”

“Do not mock the law.” His voice clipped and condescending, grave. “You’ve beaten half a dozen licensed adventurers into the dirt. Witnesses say you twist reality with your fists”

Pepper tilt her head, “Hm? No, I just punches things.”

The old man’s jaw tightened. “Enough! If you do not comply, the Guild will have no choice but to send…” He paused for dramatic effect and flair “…the Chose Hero”

Pepper just smiles “Oh! Is it the blondie with the baby face? Alright, I’ll make extra tea for him if he comes!” And with that, she shut her door to his face gently.

The old man looked baffled before stomping away like a petulant child and muttering about ‘disrespect’ and ‘brat these days’ like the old man that he is.

Meanwhile, Pepper was already preparing for two things—Tea and her fists, if needed.

The Chosen Hero and The Start of a New Legend

The village square buzzed with nervous energy, word has spread that the Chosen Hero himself was coming to “banish” the Witch. Adults whispered prayers, while the children were shooed indoors, despite them vibrating with joy that their favorite “Cookie Witch” is coming to town, makeshift banners with “GOOD LUCK, HERO!” and “WITCH BE BANISHED” hung from windows.

Pepper, on the other hand, is brewing extra tea and baking more goodies in her stone oven and cauldron. Humming cheerfully and barely look up when she heard the clatter of armor approaching.

Sir Tarie Thalia—the so-called Chosen Hero—stood at the edge of her yard, his armor polished to blinding shine. Behind him, the entire village crowded together, anticipation thick in the air.

“Witch!” He bellowed, pointing his obnoxiously gleaming sword. “Your reign of terror ends today!”]

Pepper look up finally with a confused look on her face “Reign of… terror? What do you mean, I reing over nothing. Do you want tarts? I made extra-” he cut of her words

“DO NOT MOCK JUSTICE” Tarie shout as he charged, sword raised high. His blade glowed with holy magic as he swung down with all his strength.

Pepper simply move aside with and startled yelp, “H-hey! Watch it! You could’ve cut me!” she pouted and huffs. The Hero kept swinging and Pepper kept dodging effortlessly. His holy magic roaring with intensity as Pepper dodges and dodges.

“Stop already! You start to become annoying!”

“SILENCE! YOUR EVIL REIGN NO MORE!” the Hero shout again with self-righteousness as he continues to swing his sword.

And by time, Pepper had enough. She readies her fist and charge her palm with magic before uppercutting the Hero to the stomach. Sending him flying several feet back.

“STOP IT!”

She said angrily. “I didn’t reign anything! I just wanted to bake and read in peace! Can’t a girl workout without getting called things?!” She huffed and pouted.

The crowd gasped as Tarie landed flat on his back, armor clanging, eyes spinning. Pepper dusted her hands off before picking Tarie up from the scruff of his collar like a misbehaving kitten, “And you, young man, should listen to people when they talk! Now sit down or no tarts for you!” She sat him down after she flick his forehead. Making him whine in pain and pout in embarrassment.

Then, as if nothing happened, Pepper strolled to the kitchen and emerges moments later with trays of freshly baked goods and handed them to the crowd. The children first, then the rests.

“Here. Warm from the oven. I don’t hex thing, I just like to bake!” She said with a cheery smile.

The kids cheered and immediately swarmed around her. The villagers stood frozen, torn between fear and bewilderment as the witch has defeated “the Chosen One” with a punch and scold him like a child. For a while they exchange looks and hesitantly take the cookies themselves. Even the hero. They were hesitant at first, but upon biting to the cookies and tarts, everyone can’t help but make noises of contentment. They won’t lie—can’t—because this is simply the BEST treats they ever have! Even the hero’s eyes are gleaming with childish wonder!

In the end, the image didn’t fit the rumors. At all.

The days that followed, things slowly began to change.

Parents still wary, sure, but they allow their children to visit Pepper under the excuse of “watching her closely.” They found their kids working out with her, getting snacks, and listening to stories beneath the stars. All of them left laughing and calling Pepper “Coachy Witch.”

Others leave her small offering—bread, fruit, fresh milk— on the porch. Out of fear at first, before they treat her like neighbor. Adult would greet her, a stiff “M-Morning, Miss Witch” before evolving to something more casual.

But the rumors around her didn’t vanish; they just… shifted.

“She can shatter boulders with one punch.” “She teaches children how to fight.” “She once knocked the Chosen Hero flat with just a finger.”

But now, the whispers carried more awe than dread. Her new nickname spread faster than the old one:

“The Muscly Witch from the East.”

Pepper found it hilarious. “Hehe, what a cute title.” she said one evening, lounging in her chair with a book in one hand and a cookie in the other. “But hey… I’ll take it.”

By the end of the season, Pepper’s reputation had spread far beyond Tivalen Village.

Merchants passing through whispered of her while sipping ale. “They say she’s got arms thicker than oak trunks…” “No, no, you’ve got it wrong,” another insisted. “Her abs can deflect arrows!” “I heard she bakes cookies so good, you’ll forget your own name after one bite!”

Pepper, meanwhile, was living her best life. Her mornings were filled with heavy lifts, her afternoons with storybooks, and her evenings with trays of perfectly golden cookies. The world could insist she was a legend, a monster, or a goddess of gains—she didn’t care.

As long as she can ger her reps in peace.

And if a few more heroes showed up at her doorstep? Well. Pepper smiled as she flexed her fist, already imagining the next forehead flick.

The Muscly Witch from the East was here to stay.

*****