Geralt frowned but didn't object to this idea, thinking about the ethics of such a scheme.
Although green, the Northern Empire was a force to reckon with, no matter how you looked at it. Within a few short dozen years, the icy plains up north somehow gathered enough man force to rise to the status of an empire.
Geralt sighed and shook his head, pointing a look at Elder Thylver as if daring him to argue.
"We'll do nothing for now."
The elder merely bowed and said nothing more, hiding his thoughts from the rest of the elders.
"We're done here." Elder Larok said as soon as the discussion between the elder and Headmaster finished.
"Let's go and prepare the Trial Hall, then."
Turning around, Geralt made his way through the tall hallways without looking back to see whether the elders were following him.
Entering the Grand Hall, the Recens were immediately hit by a wall of mana, making them feel as though they were moving through a slightly viscous liquid.
They paid this change no attention, as they were well aware of the Hall's characteristics. The density of mana inside the chamber served a crucial purpose in making sure the participants would leave the Hall alive. Well, those that will survive.
Fundamentally changing the structure of a human's body doesn't require only a robust mental fortitude but also a large amount of energy. Energy that is best provided by mana.
Looking around the Hall, it was easy to see where all this mana came from. Standing atop short plinths, large mana crystals did nothing but absorb ambient mana from outside the fortress - using mana traces carved into the stone floor, extending well beyond the room - and deposit it all inside.
Geralt suddenly stopped, causing the rest of the elders to almost walk into him, and looked at the far corner of the chamber, where Count Obasha was studying the tables where the boys would be strapped to.
"What is the meaning of this?" Geralt shouted, his expression turned ugly.
As though the shout had nothing to do with him, Obasha slowly looked up, pulling out a piece of paper from the inner pocket of this coat.
Seeing the Regal Sigil, the Headmaster could only tilt his head in confusion.
Whatever was written on that paper couldn't be anything good.
Without much further ado, the count explained the contents detailed on the paper with a slight smirk on his face.
"By Royal decree, I shall witness the Trial to its end. Signed, his Royal Majesty."
The sound of gritted teeth came from behind the Headmaster, but he didn't need to turn around to know the rest of the Recens were furious.
"You didn't answer my question, Obasha." Geralt pointed out, pinning the count with a sharp look.
The human was shaken momentarily, looking as though he didn't quite understand what the Headmaster meant, but he quickly regained his bearings.
"I'm only following orders, Sir Geralt. If you have any objections or unclarities, you may discuss them with His Majesty."
Geralt breathed hard, forcing his breathing under control. It proved to be more difficult than it looked, especially when the look on the count's face exuded nothing but mockery.
Fists shaking with anger, Larok looked at his superior, then shifted his eyes at the human noble.
"Sir, let me punch him." He said in a low enough voice to be heard only by Geralt.
Ignoring the bear of a man, Geralt half-turned to the youngest Recen and said in a loud voice.
"Bring in the candidates."
***
"Are you sure this will help you out?" A thin and somewhat short greenhorn asked the one next to him as he watched the latter grind several herbs and bitter-tasting roots between his molars before swallowing.
'I know the guy.' Alex thought, furrowing his eyebrows. 'Though, where have I seen him?'
Although Alex had been in this fortress for ten years, he couldn't possibly remember all the kids who entered and left the institution.
Unlike him, who didn't have anywhere else to go, many of these kids snuck out and ran away from the boogeymen that were the Recen.
'He's that kid... What was his name... Elas? Elias? Something along those lines.'
Even though Alex could've done anything else with his time, he chose to remember some young man - or kid- he met when he and Ezek were running around the city, wooing some ladies.
Unlike Elias, the guy chewing on grass was absolutely massive. A hunk of a man, filled with so much muscle his shirt threatened to rip apart even while not flexing his muscles.
"I cannot just sit around and do nothing. Even if it doesn't work, I would at least feel better." He said, trying and failing to keep his legs from shaking.
"If you're this afraid of the Trial, why stay? Surely, there must be other ways to get stronger without risking your life." Elias said, tilting his head to the side.
Alex and the muscle-head turned to look at Elias.
"If you know of some other way to get a new chance at life besides the Recen's Trial, do tell." He then said, rolling his eyes. "Besides, if such a thing existed, why are you here?"
Elias realized his mistake and shrugged without saying another word.
"Everyone has their reasons to be here." Said Alex out loud, turning his attention to the muscular young man. "Where are you from? I haven't seen you here before."
Sighing, he stopped chewing and swallowed whatever roots remained in his mouth.
"I am Leso, and no, I am not from around here. It's just that my grandfather knows Recen Thylver and allowed me to take this Trial."
Alex sighed sadly.
Just by looking around the chamber, one could feel the oppressive and heavy atmosphere bearing down on each of them. Everyone knew this might be the last day of their life, that their families back home might receive news about their deaths, unable to bury their loved ones.
As wonderful as the chance at getting a second chance was, the pitfalls were just as deep, if not deeper.
Alex took several seconds and watched the other boys in the room, remembering their faces. He knew most of them here would die, their bodies unable to resist and adapt to the Recen's poison.
Even with Damocles' sword hanging over their heads, these men still chose to undergo the Trial. It was eye-opening. The lengths these people went only to get stronger, to be able to provide for their families or protect them.
Alex suddenly felt introspective. Watching the nervous and outright afraid looks on these people's faces made him question his own reasons for getting more powerful.
Elias, Leso and the other seventeen boys had valid reasons for being here. Himself, on the other hand...
Sure, he also wanted to get revenge for his family but was that a valid enough reason to risk dying for? It's been so long since he saw his mother and father he forgot how they look and sound like.
It's been so long since the attack on his family that Alex forgot what it was about in the first place.
Ezek's words suddenly came to mind. 'I don't have a reason to get unimaginably strong...'
Alex let out a thin smile. 'Well, do I have one?'
If he thought about it in detail, no. Alex didn't need to become a Recen to get his revenge. He should be talented enough to become a strong mage or warrior by himself, without the help of a completely new body. His parents were talented individuals themselves, and it only made sense their child would be at least as talented as them.
Alex could return home whenever he wanted, taking back his name of Nozim, and live his life comfortably.
Yet, he didn't.
He didn't want to admit it, but Alex was scared of going back. He didn't know what he would find there, didn't know whether his parents would welcome him back or even recognize him.
Hell, he didn't even know whether his parents lived or that he even had a home to return to.
A man entered the room, rousing Alex from his thoughts before he glanced at the door.
"It's time."