"Knock~knock~knock~"
Seeing Allen feeling a bit uneasy under everyone's gaze, the Chief knocked on the table, shifting everyone's attention.
"The potion is called Drowner's Heart Essence."
"Its effect is to enhance strength and physique, but after two doses, it will no longer be effective for us."
The Witcher masters nodded. Though slightly regretful, they understood that potions enhancing physical qualities must have usage limits. It was impressive enough that a single low-level drowner's heart could be refined into such an excellent potion. Usually, after killing a drowner, only its tongue and brain are processed, while its heart is discarded like trash. Thinking of this, the masters looked at Allen again, their gazes filled with admiration, as if they were looking at a rare treasure.
The Chief paused briefly and continued, "More importantly, the essence is mild and non-toxic, suitable for use by ordinary people."
The Chief's words silenced the table. Everyone exchanged glances.
"You mean...?" Whitelock was the first to react, turning sharply to look at the Chief.
A hint of joy flashed in the Chief's eyes as he directly explained, "The essence can also be used by apprentices before the Trial of Grasses, and it has a very positive effect."
The sorceress added from the corner, "Out of thirty apprentices scheduled for the Trial of Grasses next year, ten took the essence and underwent the trial seven days ago..."
Everyone, including Allen, sat up straighter and listened intently.
"Seven passed the Trial of Grasses..."
A 20% increase in the success rate? Could it be this effective? The Witcher masters were incredulous.
"The remaining three apprentices also survived. After some more training, they can complete the remaining trials."
Everyone was now completely stunned.
"What!" Vesemir stood up abruptly, his voice almost incoherent, "So... this means the Trial of Grasses no longer kills any apprentices?"
"At least for the first ten, none died." She paused and added, "The Drowner's Heart Essence seems particularly compatible with your witcher physiology."
"It even enhances the absorption of 'Mushroom Soup' for witchers post-Trial of Grasses."
"'Mushroom Soup,' which usually takes half a day to digest, is absorbed almost instantly after drinking a small portion of the essence."
"Even after the effects of enhancing strength and physique fade."
Hearing this, Vesemir found the effect familiar and looked at Allen with increasing admiration. He must have come up with this potion because of the ten days of suffering Hughes and the others went through, he thought.
"Not bad for my apprentice, a witcher destined to walk the path of glory," Vesemir mused.
"Not a single death!" Allen's heart pounded with excitement. Though he had hoped the essence might aid in the Trial of Grasses, seeing the mortality rate drop to zero was an unexpected delight. Not only did it mean a quicker formation of his Witcher Corps, but it also meant the fortress would no longer be haunted by the souls of children.
"Knock~knock~knock~"
The knocking on the wooden table brought everyone's soaring spirits back to the meeting.
"A few days ago, I mentioned something to you all. Do you remember?" The Chief suddenly shifted topics.
While Allen looked a bit puzzled, the other Witcher masters, after glancing at Allen, nodded solemnly.
"Back then, some of you agreed, some opposed, some were doubtful, and some were indifferent..."
"I said I would give you an answer!"
"What do you think of this answer now?"
The Chief's gaze swept over each member of the Witcher masters, lingering briefly on each face before moving on. Each one, under this gaze, took a serious look at Allen and then nodded. Finally, the Chief's gaze rested on Allen's contemplative face at the end of the table, and he solemnly declared: "Allen, from today on, you are the first commander of the Wolf School Witcher Corps!"
As expected... Allen's mind raced, and he gravely accepted the position.
"Aristo!"
"Chief, present!" Aristo responded loudly.
"You are the deputy commander of the Witcher Corps!"
"Yes, Chief!" Aristo replied earnestly.
The Chief nodded and continued firmly, "The Witcher Corps will gradually take over the defense of the fortress."
"The Witcher masters will serve as the elder council of the Corps but will not handle specific affairs."
"Hughes, Bond, and Fred are the first members of the Witcher Corps, and the seven apprentices who just passed the Trial of Grasses will be reserves."
After a pause, the Chief seemed to remember something and asked, "Allen, have you thought of a name for the Witcher Corps?"
"A lone wolf dies, a pack survives!" Allen stood up and announced without hesitation, "The name of the Witcher Corps is—Wolfpack!"
A lone wolf dies, a pack survives?
The masters pondered briefly, and their eyes suddenly brightened.
To become a Witcher master, having excellent swordsmanship and skillful sign usage was secondary. The most crucial aspect was their intellect. Hunting large monsters required in-depth knowledge of their habits, meticulous preparation based on their weaknesses, and then striking decisively. Combat was only a small part of the process; the rest required careful thought.
Thus, no Witcher master was a fool. They all saw the precarious situation of the school. They were just constrained by tradition and inertia, subconsciously overlooking the laxity they deemed normal, which prevented them from identifying the core problem and solution.
Allen's proposed motto for the Witcher Corps hit the nail on the head, enlightening them instantly.
"What a profound meaning!"
Before the Chief could endorse "Wolfpack" Aristo stood up in excitement, loudly praising.
"Allen, you hardly seem like a thirteen-year-old who just passed the trial!"
"Aristo, are you an idiot?"
"Since when do normal Witchers create potion formulas and signs every day?"
Danthe immediately mocked, then followed the others in standing up. Watching the vibrant young Witcher at the end of the table, he thought: "Swordsmanship, alchemy, signs, strategy... perhaps only such a genius could bear the future of the Wolf School."
After receiving everyone's congratulations and repeatedly expressing his gratitude, the intense atmosphere in the chamber gradually dissipated.
"Knock~knock~"
Seeing everyone seated, the Chief knocked on the table again.
"Since everyone agrees, the name of the Witcher Corps will be Wolfpack!"
Seeing the Witcher masters nodding without objection, the Chief then spoke of Allen's generous contribution of potion formulas and signs, further boosting Allen's standing among the masters, and prepared to end the meeting. Unexpectedly, Whitelock, the second seat of the masters' council, suddenly asked, "Chief."
"Since some apprentices have already passed the Trial of Grasses, what about the Mountain Trial that lacks a cyclops... what should we do?"
...…
📢20 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢
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119. The Captain's First Operation!
120. Ritual Studies and the Ceremony.
121. Flesh Golem.
122. Not the Drowner King?
123. The Headmaster of Ban Ard Academy.