Read up to chapter 20 on Patreon for free -patreon.com/Dark_sym

-----

Corvo Bianco Vineyard, Duchy of Toussaint

"I don't know how you pulled it off, but you must be cheating!" Geralt tossed the Gwent card onto the table in frustration.

"Nobody can win at Gwent every time, and nobody can play Gwent constantly. Cheating right in front of me!"

With an irritated slap on the table, Geralt inadvertently sent the cold beer splashing with his thumping. Seated across from Geralt was a slender man, his long silver hair tied into a ponytail.

What caught attention even more were his eyes, resembling the amber hue of feline creatures, with pupils thin like cat's eyes. Despite his handsome face, it gave off an odd vibe, possibly explaining why witchers weren't crowd favorites.

Observing the violently shaking tabletop, Ethan swiftly raised his beer, looked at the irate Geralt, and grinned, "Come on, Geralt, you've got to present proof if you're accusing me of cheating."

As Geralt finally ceased his furious table assault, Ethan deftly pocketed the small pile of crowns in front of Geralt, eliciting a jump in Geralt's eyes.

Ethan then produced a disc from his pocket, as if unsatisfied, saying, "Let's try again, Geralt. Maybe you can win back the Eye of Nehaleni; just bet your magic lamp. What do you say?"

This time, even the emotionally restrained Geralt couldn't hold back. Resisting the urge to punch the provoking face, Geralt rose angrily and walked away.

With no playmate left, Ethan lounged on the reclining chair, enjoying the picturesque Toussaint scenery. This experience was unique to Ethan, who had spent 24 years in this world, traversing from a panicked baby to a witcher due to a twist of fate.

Memories of his past life seemed to blur, with the faces of his parents and girlfriend fading. When he initially became a witcher, he delved into countless books, finding only a few words explaining his time travel: "The Intersection of the Celestial and the Spheres."

Now, Ethan had no desire to return. The physical prowess and extended lifespan from the witcher's mutation surpassed the mundane life of his previous clerk self. Additionally, the close relationships, especially with the "intimate" sorceresses, deepened Ethan's love for the world.

Deciding to nap on the reclining chair, just as he started drifting into a dream, Ethan was jolted awake by an inexplicable falling sensation. Often dismissed as growing taller in dreams, Ethan, at 24, doubted this applied to him. Opening his eyes, the scenery had shifted from Corvo Bianco Vineyard to the sky.

Witchers feared heights and pitchforks, and the only plausible reason for Ethan's sudden teleportation to the sky was a certain sorceress creating a portal. Ethan, despite all his skills, found himself unable to use them, crying out, "My life is over!"

A bright light enveloped Ethan, and before he could ponder the sky's oddity, a car crashed into him. The impact's severe pain plunged Ethan into unconsciousness.

In the car, a boy with glasses and a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead exclaimed to the red-haired driver, "Ron, we hit someone!"

Terrified, Ron defended, "It's just our imagination, Harry. People can't fly!"

"Perhaps on a broom?" Harry nervously scratched his head, noticing a hand hanging weakly from the car roof, blood dripping from the fingertips.

"We're finished!" Ron cried in horror, seeing the injured man on the car's roof.

"We'll be expelled from Hogwarts!" Despair filled Ron's voice, causing the car to bump along.

Harry, maintaining composure, instructed Ron to stabilize the car. Opening the door at a high altitude, Harry used a floating spell to bring Ethan into the car. If witnessed, other wizards would be shocked as Harry, half out of the car, appeared unsteady.

After a harrowing struggle, Harry exclaimed, "This gentleman is still alive!" However, Ron, seeing Harry covered in blood, grew even paler.

"We need to hurry back to Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey can save him," Harry urged, propelling the car toward Hogwarts.

Ron found newfound courage with Harry's words, and the airborne car sped toward Hogwarts.

The journey back proved challenging. Hedwig's alarmed reaction to the sudden guest demanded Harry's attention, forcing him to soothe her while attending to Ethan. In the end, the trio arrived at Hogwarts in a rather disheveled state.

Thanks to Ethan's intervention, the car narrowly avoided colliding with the Whomping Willow, only to experience another rough landing under Ron's less-than-stellar driving skills. The car's tires gouged deep ravines into the Hogwarts lawn.

Upon the car's halt, Harry and Ron eagerly disembarked, hastening toward Hogwarts Castle. Waiting for them was Filch, who, visibly taken aback by the blood on Harry's body, refrained from delivering his usual threats. Without uttering his prepared warnings, Filch swiftly ushered the two young wizards to Professor Snape.