In the afternoon at Killer Lake, the people by the lake were divided into two circles, one large and one small.
The leader of the Wolf School, Sol, and Vera were close to Killer Lake, with a semi-transparent, faint red protective shield isolating them from the outside world. Sometimes they had intimate conversations, and sometimes they suddenly parted, like they were having a quarrel.
The larger circle consisted of the six witcher masters. They talked about their experiences over the past year and occasionally discussed the performance of the apprentices this year. Although the topics varied, every witcher master occasionally glanced at the small circle.
"Vesemir, what's the relationship between that apprentice named Allen and Lady Vera?" the old witcher with gray hair asked curiously, retracting his gaze. "If I didn't hear wrong, Lady Vera wanted to rush into the high mountain trial earlier just to save him, right?"
Vesemir's gaze remained fixed in the direction of Killer Lake. Unlike the other witcher masters, he couldn't detach himself and discuss the life and death of a few witcher apprentices nonchalantly. Since Vera mentioned that Old Speartip might become violent due to hunger, Vesemir hadn't smiled. However, hearing the old witcher master's question, he suppressed his anxiety, turned around, and replied, "That should be the case. After the Trial of the Grasses, Allen has been learning alchemy from Lady Vera."
After a pause, Vesemir continued, "I think that's also why Allen was able to create the Killer Whale potion."
The old witcher master nodded slightly. He knew some sorceresses did things that went against conventions due to their innate maternal instincts. It wasn't unusual for Vera to teach a witcher apprentice alchemy.
However...
"Lady Vera indeed is remarkable. She casually teaches for half a month and can produce an apprentice with such high expertise in potions."
After a moment of admiration, the old witcher master's expression suddenly turned gloomy.
"Lady Vera, is blinded by her care. How can she interfere with the witcher trials? It's a pity that such an excellent witcher apprentice would encounter such a situation."
The old witcher master clicked his tongue, his wrinkled face full of regret. His tone revealed he didn't hold out much hope for Allen passing the high mountain trial.
In fact, he didn't believe any of the apprentices participating in the trial would survive under Old Speartip's hands. The old witcher master waited here out of habit or perhaps in hope of a miracle. He didn't know which and didn't want to delve into it. After all, an old witcher's time wasn't valuable.
"Allen will pass the high mountain trial!" the old witcher master was stunned at Vesemir's words.
Vesemir's expression was serious and determined, as if he believed in his judgment. Or perhaps he just didn't want to believe that the ominous tone hidden in the old witcher master's words would come true.
"Vesemir, don't remember the apprentices' names," the old witcher master said sternly. Seeing Vesemir's unchanged expression, he sighed, shook his head, and walked toward the other group of witchers.
At this moment...
Crunch~ Crunch~ Crunch~
A witcher with dual swords on his back stepped through the thick snow from a distance.
"Letho!" Vesemir's exclamation drew the attention of the other witcher masters.
As Letho approached, the witcher master Dandelion sized up his appearance. From a distance, he seemed disheveled and pale. As he got closer, the witcher masters noticed faint red marks on his exposed skin. At an even closer distance, they could smell cheap perfume on him. Dandelion asked curiously, "L-Letho, did someone just drag you out of bed from the Pink Brothel? Since when does Old Sea Fortress have such a place?"
Letho's face darkened. Before he could explain, Vesemir pulled him aside.
"Letho, what's going on?" Vesemir glanced at Killer Lake. The sorceress and the Wolf School leader had their backs turned. Vesemir pulled Letho behind a pine tree and urged in a low voice, "Quick, leave before Lady Vera notices you!"
Letho sighed helplessly, adjusted his disheveled armor, and said calmly, "No need, it was Lady Vera who brought me back."
"What?" Vesemir's jaw dropped. He then skeptically asked, "No, how did Lady Vera know where you were? This scent is..." Vesemir paused, sniffed, and leaned closer to sniff again, his face filled with surprise. "How did you get that far? No, how did Lady Vera find you after you went that far? Did you privately tell Allen where you were going?"
Letho sighed again, his brown cat-like eyes filled with complex emotions. He looked deeply at Vesemir, then adjusted his clothes again and said, emphasizing each word with a biting tone, "Master Vesemir! Is there a possibility that the person who revealed my whereabouts wasn't the witcher apprentice Allen?"
Feeling something was amiss, Vesemir hesitated but asked, "Then... who could it be?"
Letho looked deeply at Vesemir again and said, "Maybe one of the witcher masters." He added, "I wouldn't dare call the names of the masters lightly. I fear next time, just at a critical moment, I might be dragged out of bed again, not fully dressed, not having said goodbye to the beautiful girls, and transported through three portals in succession..."
"Ahem," Vesemir coughed twice, interrupting Letho's continuous complaints. Even a fool would understand now who Letho was referring to as the witcher master.
Vesemir, who had indeed interacted with Lady Vera a few times recently, looked at the distant snow-capped mountains to change the subject, "By the way... why did Lady Vera bring you back? Did you ask for it?"
"Of course not!" Letho couldn't help but shout. Realizing he was too loud, he quickly glanced at the lake and whispered, "Lady Vera wanted me to witness Allen's high mountain trial. I think it's unnecessary. A naturally gifted witcher like Allen can't possibly fail the trial... unless he's unlucky enough to encounter Old Speartip having breakfast... But that's impossible, right, Vesemir?"
"Vesemir?"
Letho's muttering gradually lowered in volume as he noticed Vesemir's face growing darker. Letho's heart sank, thinking, "Could it be such a coincidence? Could Allen really encounter Old Speartip having breakfast?"
...…
📢20 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢
For advance chapters: p@treon.com/Uchiha_Itachi007 (replace @ with a)
73. Don't Add to the Chaos!
74. A New Type of Task.
75. The Circle of Elements.
76. How Can the Notes Be Changed?
77. Is It Really Necessary?