Approaching Wayne with the beauty, Keira flashed a knowing smile, as if she could read his thoughts. "Well, well," she teased, "not even a hello for your dear friend? Were you planning to run away? Afraid I'd eat you, Wayne?"
"Of course not, Keira," Wayne replied with a sheepish grin. "I just saw you and this lovely lady enjoying your shopping. Didn't want to interrupt." He nodded politely to Keira, then turned his attention to the blonde woman beside her.
He was taken aback, despite being under 1.7 meters tall and possessing a modest bust, the woman beside her was a different story. She was not only strikingly beautiful but also stood at nearly 1.8 meters, with a figure that rivaled even Yennefer's.
This woman seemed quite confident in her appearance. Despite her ample curves, she wore a revealing red dress with a plunging neckline and a dazzling necklace of gold and gems. Her delicate collarbones, long legs, and ample bosom were on full display. The dress clung to her curves, accentuating her figure, and the neckline revealed a tantalizing amount of cleavage. Even the battle-hardened Wayne couldn't help but be momentarily distracted by her beauty.
The blonde beauty, far from being embarrassed by Wayne's gaze, puffed out her chest and met his eyes with a charming smile. Keira, however, let out a huff of disapproval. "Smooth talker," she said with a hint of bitterness. "You'll sweet-talk any woman into a daze."
Seemingly realizing her tone was too harsh, Keira regained her sorceress's composure. She took the blonde woman's arm and introduced her to Wayne, "This is Margarita Laux-Antille, the current headmistress of Aretuza and a renowned healer. We invited her to Vizima specifically to treat Triss's injuries."
Turning to Margarita, she added, "This half-elf is Wayne, a friend of Triss and I. He's a witcher."
Margarita, who had been admiring Wayne's handsome features and physique, perked up at the mention of his profession. A mischievous glint appeared in her blue eyes as she licked her lips and said, "Hello, Wayne, a pleasure to meet you. We're planning to visit Triss at her home after our shopping excursion. Would you care to join us?"
A threesome?
Margarita's proposal gave Wayne pause, but only for a moment. He smiled and declined, "Laux-Antille, most men, myself included, aren't fond of aimless shopping. We prefer to have a purpose."
"Since you're visiting Triss later, how about I pick up some ingredients and wine for dinner tonight? I guarantee you an unforgettable culinary experience."
Keira nodded in agreement. "It's true," she said to Margarita. "Not trying Wayne's cooking would be a missed opportunity. His skills far surpass the royal chefs'. He's a culinary master, not just a witcher."
Margarita burst into laughter, her ample bosom heaving. After a moment, she waved to Keira and smiled at Wayne. "Very well, Wayne. I look forward to sampling your culinary skills. I hear Yennefer is also at Triss's. It's been ages since we women have gathered. I'll be staying in Vizima for a while. Until then, Wayne."
"See you later," Wayne echoed.
Watching the two sorceresses leave, Wayne felt a mix of emotions. Was encountering these two powerful women on his lucky day a sign of good fortune? He wasn't sure. But if all four sorceresses gathered that night, perhaps he could indulge in a game of Gwent. He had exhausted the experience points of all the players in Vizima, and it was time to introduce new ones to level up his Gwent skills.
Wayne didn't know much about Headmistress Margarita beyond her brief appearance in the books and games. The author had emphasized her statuesque beauty, describing her as a woman with a perfect figure. In the original story, she was portrayed as gentle and kind, devoid of arrogance, and generally uninterested in politics. A competent headmistress, her ancestor was rumored to be a legendary mage. During the witch hunts, Margarita was captured and tortured before being rescued by Geralt.
After meeting her today, an idea sparked in Wayne's mind. It wasn't her beauty that interested him, but the potential for gaining knowledge from Aretuza and perhaps recovering lost documents from the time of the Wolf School. The coordinates of the spatial rifts sealed by the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, as well as maps of magical places they had discovered, held immense value for Wayne.
However, his identity as a witcher was sensitive. Acting too hastily could raise the Brotherhood's suspicions and attract unwanted attention. But if he could establish a friendly relationship with the kind-hearted headmistress, he might be able to access the information he needed discreetly.
Of course, pursuing Triss was also an option, but that was a matter for another time. He couldn't rush it.
Wayne went to a high-end food store and bought a variety of expensive ingredients, followed by a trip to a winery for some fine wines. He then returned to Triss's house.
Instead of immediately starting on dinner, he turned on the system interface and reviewed his cooking skill:
Cooking Skill LV7: Food deliciousness +7
Optional Skills and Feats:
Captive of Delicious Food: Your diners will become so enamored with your cooking that they will gradually transfer their affection for the food to you. The more they eat your food, the deeper their fondness will grow, until they become captives of your culinary skill. (Effect: Increased favorability with those who consume your food, cumulative over time.)
The Power of Food: Your culinary expertise allows you to create dishes that bring joy and nourishment to both body and mind, accelerating recovery. (Effect: Increases stamina and spirit recovery by 50% after eating your food, lasting until hungry.)
These skills had been available since he reached level five, but he had held off on choosing one to save ability points for unlocking his Elder Blood.
His blacksmithing, alchemy, and enchanting skills had also reached level five, with available skill specializations. However, with only a few ability points remaining, Wayne was struggling to decide which skill to prioritize. Now, with Margarita in Vizima, he had a new opportunity.
To build a good relationship with the headmistress of Aretuza, Wayne decided to invest his ability points in the "Captive of Delicious Food" skill. With this specialization, not only Margarita, but also Triss, Keira, the soon-to-hatch Deathclaw, and other close acquaintances would become enthralled by his culinary creations. Their fondness for him would deepen with each delicious meal, strengthening their bond and reducing the risk of betrayal.
As the saying went, "The way to a person's heart is through their stomach." Judging by the skill's effects, this was a wise investment of his ability points.