"When are you planning to inform Allen and the others about the combat competition between the Wolf School and the Cat School?"
The Chief, feeling somewhat disappointed, glanced at the reveling Allen and said, "Tomorrow, at least let them enjoy the celebration tonight."
Vera nodded slightly, her smooth, pale chin moving just a bit. She said no more. The two of them stood there, leaning against the wall in a dark corner where the bonfire's light couldn't reach, watching over Allen.
---------
Time swiftly passed amidst the toasts and cheers. The bonfire's flames had grown weary, now barely half the height they were at the start. Under the dim light, the long table reflected the golden glow of the dripping fat.
Only the black-haired boars from Blue Mountain could produce such a glossy fat under intense flames. Unlike ordinary wild boars, these required very few seasonings, and the roasted meat naturally emitted a woody fragrance. Unfortunately, now all that remained on the table were various bones glistening with fat; not a single piece of pork was left.
"Bang! Bang!"
Wooden tankards clashed, releasing the aroma of malt beer.
"Gulp~ Gulp~"
After downing the delicious beer in one go, the witchers planned to head to bed.
"Let's... go... Allen... let's head back to the apprentice dormitory..."
Hughes, with his speech slurred, urged Allen to leave together.
"No need to go back to the dormitory."
Vesemir blocked the four of them.
"You are now official witchers. You can choose a room in the main keep."
After a pause, he continued, "If you don't have anything to collect, you can come with me now."
Hughes and the others were momentarily stunned, then elated.
Their own rooms?
Yes, they were official witchers now and no longer needed to share a big room with others. For the first time, Hughes, Bond, and Fred felt the reality of "I've truly become a witcher."
Even participating in the exclusive witchers' banquet earlier hadn't given them this feeling. In an instant, it was like being reborn. They instinctively looked at Allen.
It was this person who shared the Killer Whale decoction with them, then hunted a Foglet alone, helping them pass the Killer Lake. Later, he diverted Old Spearhead and even warned them about the rock troll's personality beforehand…
Although the result wasn't great…
But thanks to Allen, they almost unscathed completed the Mountain Trial. For a moment, gratitude overflowed from Hughes, Bond, and Fred's hearts.
Seeing their expressions, Allen smiled and patted their shoulders, saying, "Let's go, witchers."
"Let's go check out our new home."
------
Kaer Morhen was a castle. Such buildings are generally used by nobles to defend territories, expand lands, and control areas. Their military defensive function outweighs their residential purpose. Therefore, every castle's construction implies a perceived enemy in the builder's mind.
As they followed Vesemir to their quarters, Allen scanned the towering black walls around him, and a question suddenly popped into his head.
Who was Kaer Morhen's perceived enemy?
Monsters?
Thinking of this, Allen sighed inwardly.
This ancient fortress, despite its strength, was eventually destroyed during the defense of Kaer Morhen. Previously, he could dismiss it by thinking the worlds were different. After all, even the core prophecy of saving the world with Elder Blood had changed. Moreover, potions, blade oils, and signs' powers, even the characters were different.
At least major figures like Vera and the Chief, even if they died, should be mentioned in the game or novel's background, but he had no memory of them.
On the other hand, characters like Vesemir undoubtedly existed, and he saw some notable figures from the game and novels in the library. This made Allen feel that the history of the witcher world he knew seemed to be in a state of both reliability and unreliability. So, while Allen remained vigilant, he harbored some wishful thinking.
Perhaps the Battle of Kaer Morhen might never happen.
Until he saw, a wizard from Ban Ard arrived with the king's decree. His curiosity about Kaer Morhen exceeded what was appropriate for a king's messenger.
"So, who are the Wolf School's enemies?"
"Court wizards? Ban Ard Academy? The Council of Wizards? Or the king of Kaedwen? The nobles of the Northern Kingdoms?"
"Or perhaps, not just one enemy?"
Allen sighed again.
It was precisely this sense of being enemies with the world that drove him to urge the Chief to stay vigilant, even if it meant lying.
Allen feared waking up one day to a fireball to the face and Kaer Morhen being gone.
"There's still too little information."
Allen sighed once more, but then he remembered he was close to earning the title of master witcher. With that title, his status in the school would rise, and he'd gain more critical information. At least he wouldn't be the only one providing somewhat dubious intel during his last report to the Chief.
"Alright, we're here."
Vesemir's voice interrupted Allen's thoughts. He looked up and was taken aback, asking: "Hmm?"
"Isn't this the west tower?"
Vesemir nodded, saying, "Yes, this is the west tower."
After a moment's pause, he lowered his voice with a strange expression, "It was Vera's suggestion, and the Chief agreed, considering certain factors, to let you stay in the top floor of the tower, the former quarters of the school's chief wizard."
Allen's expression turned odd upon hearing this. If he remembered correctly, this should be where the plot of The Witcher 3 begins.
Vesemir, seeing Allen's hesitation, thought he was worried about gossip and reassured him: "With your talent and the title of master witcher, you don't need to worry about idle talk."
To Vesemir, who was part of the Wolf School's master witchers, just the Killer Whale decoction alone qualified Allen to stay there. Not to mention the drowner's whistle and the ice spear spell.
In the past, the school's wizards weren't so considerate. They only maintained the trial of the grasses for apprentices and didn't create special potions, tools, and signs for witchers.
Allen nodded without explaining, bade farewell to the reluctant Hughes and the others, and ascended the stairs. He was very familiar with this tower, and apart from the apprentice dormitory, it was the place he visited most often. The tower had three floors; the second was the alchemy lab, and the third was Allen's new home.
Considering it was late and the essences of the drowner king and Old Spearhead had been waiting half a day, Allen didn't stop at the second-floor alchemy lab and directly went to the third floor.
"Creak~"
The door, intricately carved with various patterns, opened.
"Huh!"
A gasp of surprise.
The familiar room layout wasn't what shocked Allen.
What truly surprised him were the luxurious red-trimmed wool carpet, the various silver-framed oil paintings on the walls, the silk curtains swaying in the breeze, and…
The faint scent of orange mixed with cardamom in the air.
Allen stood there, stunned, mumbling to himself: "I... I might not live to see the fall of the Wolf School, and the Chief might chop me down first."
.....
📢20 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢
For advance chapters: p@treon.com/Uchiha_Itachi007 (replace @ with a)
85. You're Not Even as Good as Letho!
86. Beyond Your Imagination.
87. Opening the Box.
88. Darkness is watching you.
89. You're Quite Good!