After returning from the alchemy room, Allen answered a few of the three apprentices' questions and discussed the plan for the trial tomorrow. Then, he went to bed early to rest.
"The Trial of the High Mountain is finally here," Allen thought, lying on the wooden bed, unable to fall asleep. It wasn't the same dread and fear he had when he first transmigrated; it was a feeling of anticipation, like a ripe fruit ready to be picked. He had prepared everything he could and was just waiting for the trial. Since he couldn't sleep, Allen decided to open his Hunter's Journal.
[Name: Allen]
[Level: 15]
[HP: 100%, Stamina: 240/240, Mana: 230/230]
[Attributes: Strength 16, Agility 15, Constitution 24, Perception 17, Mystery 23]
[Affinity: Water 3]
[Special Skills: Hunter LV3, Appraisal LV1, Tracking LV1]
[Special Skill Points: 1]
[Skills: Quen LV3, Igni LV2, Wolf School Two-Handed Sword LV2, Alchemy LV2, Ice Spear Spell LV1, Tracking LV1, Aard LV1, Yrden LV1, Axii LV1, Heliotrope Sign LV1]
[Formulas: Killer Whale, Necrophage Oil, Drowner Heart Essence (Alchemy LV4 not met)]
[Items: Killer Whale Potion 20, Necrophage Oil 5, Small Experience Beads 3263…]
[Evaluation: Novice Witcher!]
Since failing to hunt drowners, Allen hadn't opened his panel in a long time. In just thirty days, his level had increased to 15. Although he didn't want to level up too quickly, because higher levels meant lower ratings for hunting low-level monsters, he couldn't resist due to the signs, alchemy, and the newly acquired Ice Spear Spell.
Moreover, Allen needed to level up three skills for tomorrow's trial.
[Ding! Your skill: Axii Sign LV1 has been upgraded to Axii Sign LV3 (0/2500)]
[Ding! Your skill: Ice Spear Spell LV1 has been upgraded to Ice Spear Spell LV3 (0/2500)]
[Ding! Your skill: Wolf School Two-Handed Sword LV2 has been upgraded to Wolf School Two-Handed Sword LV3 (0/2500)]
A large amount of information from the void instantly flooded into Allen's mind. His muscles and organs seemed to change with the skill upgrades. After a moment, Allen took a deep breath, having absorbed all the information.
His strength had reached a new level. The Ice Spear Spell made up for his lack of ranged attacks. The Axii Sign was for dealing with one-eyed giants and trolls, affecting their actions. The Wolf School Two-Handed Sword skill was not just about swordsmanship but also involved coordination and dodging steps, crucial fundamentals.
Allen's level increased to 20, and the number of Small Experience Beads dropped to 1563.
"Sigh, if only skills like Alchemy and Tracking didn't increase my character level," Allen sighed at the rising level. However, deep down, he didn't regret it. Survival was the priority. It was better to prepare skills in advance than to risk losing his life due to a sudden influx of memories during combat.
After upgrading his skills, Allen checked the panel one more time and then drifted into a dream.
-----
The next morning, the apprentices got up early and gathered at the gates of Kaer Morhen. The snow was heavier than yesterday, covering the ground with a thick blanket.
"Apprentices, you're in luck!" Vesemir greeted them, leaning against the castle's stone wall. The continuous snow would lower the temperature by several degrees. Although there was no evidence that drowners hibernated, their activity would significantly decrease in winter.
Following Vesemir, Allen trudged through the snow to the shores of Killer Lake. Six Witchers, dressed in dark red padded armor and carrying dual swords, stood under a snow-laden oak tree by the lake, watching them approach.
"These are the Wolf School Witcher Masters, witnesses of your Trial of the High Mountain," Vesemir introduced, glancing at the apprentices, his gaze lingering on Allen.
Allen understood Vesemir's unspoken message and looked about thirty meters away at the Witcher Masters, meeting one of their gazes.
"Chief, is this the apprentice you mentioned?" a white-haired Witcher asked, squinting at Allen.
"Yes, this is the apprentice who created the Killer Whale potion formula," Sol replied, crossing his arms.
The white-haired Witcher thought for a moment and nodded, "Let's see if he passes the trial first. Without passing the trial, nothing else matters."
This Witcher seemed highly respected among the masters, as none of the others objected.
Vesemir didn't take the apprentices to greet the masters but instead led them to the water's edge.
"Allen, Hughes, Bond, Fred, are you ready?" Vesemir asked, looking at each apprentice, as if to imprint their faces in his memory.
"We're ready, Master Vesemir," the apprentices replied in unison.
Vesemir was silent for a moment, then reached into a small leather pouch at his waist.
Ding! Ding!
Four roaring metal wolf head badges were pulled out.
"If you're ready, take your badges and set off!" Vesemir said solemnly. "I'll be waiting here for your triumphant return."
Allen and the apprentices took the badges, hung them around their necks, and nodded seriously. Then they took out the pre-distributed Killer Whale potions and drank them in one gulp.
Splash! Splash!
Four figures jumped into the water, splashing water everywhere. Vesemir watched as his apprentices slowly disappeared into the distance, silent for a long time.
"Vesemir, I told you long ago, don't remember the names of the apprentices," Danthe said, coming up behind him and patting his shoulder.
"It's fine," Vesemir didn't look back, his gaze fixed on the leading figure in the water. "It's okay to remember them this time.Since this time, they will all pass this trial!"
.....
📢20 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢
For advance chapters: p@treon.com/Uchiha_Itachi007 (replace @ with a)
60. The Gap Between Witcher Apprentices.
61. The Foglet.
62. Will You Surrender?
63. Are You Full?
64. Old Speartip Arrives!