We moved to the laboratory, and upon arrival, we could see a white potion, but inside, the content was like frozen.
"Why is the content frozen?"
"Good question, Aiden, but even I don't know because when I made it, it became like this, but it remains liquid despite the appearance."
Triss took the potion then moved towards me, looking at me hesitantly.
"Aiden, if you take this potion, you'll become different, and I can't guarantee the reliability of success because it's a first in a long time."
"Thank you, Triss, but I've already made my choice. I will become a Witcher."
"Good."
Triss handed the potion to Geralt, who looked at me.
"Aiden, let's bind you before the trial."
"Yes."
After that, we headed into a room filled with beds and chains. Seeing the confused faces of Ciri and me, Vesemir explained.
"We are in a transformation room; this is where apprentices transformed into Witchers. During the trial, the apprentice is subjected to severe pain, almost to the point of madness. We tie them to prevent any sudden movements. Of course, there are other circumstances, but you don't have to worry because I am here, and I have done this before."
"I admit that reassures me, Vesemir."
I moved towards a bed then, placing my hand on the bed, took a deep breath. But at the same moment, Geralt placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
"Honestly, I'm scared, but I know it must be done."
"Yes, unfortunately, it's an essential step. I wish you didn't have to go through it."
"Destiny does play things cruelly, doesn't it?"
"Sometimes yes, but sometimes destiny is a good thing."
After saying these words, Geralt smiled at me before looking at Ciri. I lay down on the bed, and Eskel and Lambert chained me.
"Courage, Aiden."
"Thank you, Eskel."
"Aiden, don't forget we have a rematch; I'll make you spit out your crowns."
"Haha, you mean the opposite, Lambert."
"But seriously, Aiden, succeed."
Then the two returned to the group, waiting anxiously. Vesemir placed three tubes in my skin, one in each arm and one at my chest.
"All right, Aiden, this is the home stretch."
"Ready?"
"Yes."
Then Vesemir poured the potion into the place where the pouch was present, and the liquid flowed along the tube.
At first, I felt nothing. I thought it hadn't worked, but then excruciating pain emerged.
"Arrgggggg !!!!"
I began to writhe in all directions, but the chains held me back.
My veins stood out as if they were about to explode, and moans of pain kept coming out of my mouth.
"Please, stop the process!!"
I kept begging for it to stop. It felt like I was burning from the inside, and then someone poured alcohol directly on the burn wounds. My bones kept cracking, or perhaps destroying themselves.
I don't know; I don't have time to think because the only thing coming out was.
Pain... Pain... Pain.
"I'm in pain!!"
Seeing that I was writhing even more, Eskel and Geralt held me in place.
"Aiden, courage!"
What did you say, Eskel? I'm in pain.
"Aiden, succeed in the trial; people are waiting for you!"
People are waiting for me? I'm in pain.
Pain.
Pain.
Pain.
Foam appeared from my mouth, and Vesemir, seeing that, shouted to Triss.
"Triss, you need to use your magic to calm the pain!"
"Yes!"
Triss rushed towards me, then used her magic, but at the same time, I spat blood on her. Ignoring that, she still looked at me with warm eyes.
"Come on, Aiden, I'll prepare your favorite meal, please succeed."
Triss began to cry, but honestly, I couldn't see it because all I was thinking about was stopping this pain. But I felt a hand squeezing me, feeling this sudden contact; I looked at the person, and I saw Ciri in tears in front of me.
"Aiden, you must not leave me; our pro...mise, your o...ath, so don't leave me, you are all I have left." Ciri rested her head on my hand, and I felt my hand getting wet with her tears.
Yes, that's true, why could I forget our promise.
Remembering that, I gritted my teeth to resist the pain, with the sole aim of wanting to keep our promise. But at the same moment, an explosion in my body happened, and I felt a huge surge of magic coming; it was as if they exploded my heart to make it bigger, and it was incredibly painful. An impossible-to-explain pain, but I felt that it was the home stretch, that I had to put all my mental energy into this advance. I felt the recomposition of what serves as my magic storage, and it was incredibly refreshing but painful.
Maybe a lot of time has passed, which I don't know because all that mattered to me was to succeed in the end. I started feeling less and less pain, but a terrible drowsiness overtook me until I eventually fell asleep.
Seeing Aiden close his eyes, I looked at Geralt hopefully.
"Geralt, did he...?"
Then Geralt smiled at me and patted my head.
"Indeed, Ciri, Aiden succeeded."
Then exclamations rang out.
"Ahaha, I knew that kid would succeed."
"Are you sure, Lambert? You were the one who worried the most."
"What?! No, it was Geralt who worried the most."
While the others started bickering, a smile appeared on my face because that's often how it is, that's the family. Then Triss intervened.
"Stop, go outside if you want to fight, but let Aiden sleep."
After Triss said that, Vesemir took Eskel and Lambert for training, and Triss redirected her gaze towards me.
"Ciri, go rest; I will watch over him."
"But..."
But Geralt interposed on my words.
"Ciri, let Triss take care of Aiden; you have sword training."
Then, casting a final glance at the sleeping Aiden, I followed Geralt for sword training. At least, it's better than Vesemir's theoretical lessons.
(A short chapter exclusively about the transformation, but now that Aiden is transformed, for me and hopefully for you, it inspires me much more. We will finally get into the heart of the matter.)