As the wolf medallion hummed, the witcher's concentration wavered slightly.
The dense, sluggish beast roar energy instantly slipped out of control, separating quickly into clearly defined gold dust and elemental magic.
The gold dust hid in his bloodstream, while the magic naturally dissipated.
"Sigh~"
Allen exhaled helplessly.
It was still too difficult to maintain the force passively with Beast Roar: Berserk—as if pushing a thousand-pound boulder uphill.
A slight loss of control, and all progress was lost.
"But even if it fails, there are no side effects. I'll just try again," Allen thought. "I just don't know how long it'll take to reach a level where I can maintain it automatically all day, even while eating and sleeping…"
With a thought, he pulled up his personal status panel.
[Name: Allen]
[Health: 100%, Stamina: 650/650, Magic: 730/730]
[Attributes: Strength 62 (+1), Agility 60, Constitution 65, Perception 68, Mystery 73]
[Affinity: Water 14 (Magic Source - Water 4%), Earth 9, Wind 8, Fire 3, Space 2]
Strength had increased by one point…
"No, that's not right…" Allen shook his head. "It's probably less than one point, but it added up with previous increments to show an increase."
"About 0.2," he estimated after feeling a faint improvement throughout his body.
Not bad, considering he had only operated it briefly.
And not just Strength; Agility and Constitution had also increased, likely by around 0.2 each, though they hadn't reached a full integer yet.
"Impressive. This is just the beginning; even with the effort, I still gained this much," Allen mused to himself.
"No wonder even the Witcher's Notebook couldn't upgrade Beast Roar. Now, aside from hunting monsters, I have another way to improve my strength."
"But…"
Thinking about the difficulty of controlling the chaotic beast roar energy, Allen sighed softly: "But this *Beast Roar* method… sure is a grind…"
After musing on it for a bit, the witcher put away his Witcher's Notebook. Instead of continuing to train *Beast Roar: Berserk*, he lit the candles in the room one by one with an Igni sign.
Then…
*"Creak…"*
The intricately carved wooden door opened.
A simple gray linen dress, high-neck white sweater, paired with brown boots…
Vera stood on the stone steps not far from the door, leaning against the cold, gray stone wall. Her face was as exquisite as ever, but for some reason, her expression carried a mix of bewilderment and sorrow.
As expected, Allen thought.
Although the magical fluctuations interrupted his training with *Beast Roar: Berserk*, he didn't sense any danger and went on analyzing his progress as usual. After all, this was Kaer Morhen, and even when asleep, witchers remained highly alert.
Even the foolish sorcerers of Ban Ard wouldn't risk coming here to get killed in the middle of the night. And there was nothing valuable in the south tower that would entice a sorcerer capable of such strong magic to risk their life. So Allen hadn't paid much mind and continued with his tasks while waiting for whoever it was to knock.
But he hadn't expected that after reflecting on his training, the knock still hadn't come.
Their eyes met.
Allen asked, puzzled, "Lady Vera, were you looking for me?"
The sorceress seemed taken aback for a moment before nodding but did not explain her purpose. It seemed as though she had used a portal to come over on a whim. Then again, could Vera's portal coordinates really accommodate not only the alchemy lab but also the door of his nearby room?
A beginner with only two portal coordinates, still unsure where to set them, Allen couldn't help but feel envious. Just standing here wasn't going to work, so Allen invited Vera into the room.
"Thud~"*
The wooden door closed.
Since he had just returned yesterday and Vera had prepared everything, the room wasn't set up for guests. So Allen simply used an Igni sign to heat a cup of water and handed it to Vera.
"Lady Vera, what brings you here?"
Taking the steaming wooden cup, the sorceress studied his face for a long time before asking: "Are you certain you want to continue as a witcher?"
What kind of question was that?
Being a witcher wasn't a common occupation.
Did she think he could just choose to be a chef, and if he didn't like it, pick up a hoe to farm, or a hammer to smith, and then join the nobles as cannon fodder if he felt like it?
Did he have a choice?
From the moment he arrived in this world, the moment that bitter, nauseating decoction of herbs touched his throat, his path had been set.
Yesterday he was a witcher, today he is a witcher, tomorrow he'll be a witcher…
Barring any surprises, he would spend his life accompanied by his silver and steel swords.
Allen looked at Vera, bewildered.
Noticing his gaze, the sorceress seemed to realize her awkwardness and hurriedly clarified: "I… I mean that even as a witcher, there are other paths… uh… do you enjoy business?"
"I know some witchers who don't want to hunt monsters all the time, so they started their own magic materials shop… No, that's not it… With your skill in alchemy and talent, you could easily open a potion or alchemy shop…"
"We could even collaborate; we could set up in Aretuza. Witchers have quite the appeal to young sorceresses there."
"If that doesn't work, how about a consultancy role? Find a small kingdom… Toussaint, perhaps? The nobles there respect strength… I… have some connections there…"
"Lady Vera…" Allen interrupted, unable to contain himself, "Why are you suddenly trying to convince me again?"
The sorceress had tried to dissuade him from monster hunting and urged him to find a safer "job" more than once before.
But the last time was before he descended the mountain, just before participating in the grand conspiracy jointly organized by Henselt and Ban Ard against the School of the Wolf—the Wolf and Cat School Apprentice Duel Tournament.
But that was different!
At that time, the School of the Wolf was besieged by united kings and sorcerers, a storm was brewing.
Although Allen had shown extraordinary talent in swordsmanship, signs, alchemy, and potions…
Even though he had earned the title of Witcher Master, his actual strength was only a bit better than a typical witcher fresh off the mountain. So it made sense for the sorceress to urge him to avoid risking his life by fleeing then.
But things were different now.
Although only six months had passed, in Kedwen, King Henselt was dead. This caused significant rifts between sorcerers and royalty, royalty and nobility, sorcerers and nobility, and even among nobles themselves.
Although Allen didn't know the full extent of these fractures…
The ease with which a king was assassinated meant it wouldn't be brushed aside, even if few actually cared for Henselt.
After all,
Nobles lived by their "honor."
Blood feuds were the norm, and in times when family reputation and interests were paramount, this wouldn't be forgotten easily.
For now, it was only being held together by the threat of Aedirn's looming war. Thus, Kaer Morhen's situation had genuinely improved.
On the other hand, Vera may know that the Wild Hunt is coming for him, but after all, he has not been found. If they were truly discovered, it wouldn't matter where he hid; it would all be the same. Moreover, they were still hidden in the shadows, holding the advantage.
And...
Allen's strength now compared to half a year ago was worlds apart.
In both attributes and combat power, he could truly be called a competent Witcher Master.
So why, at this moment, was Vera suddenly trying to dissuade him?
Allen found it somewhat perplexing.
From Vera's perspective—unaware that the Wild Hunt would bring the White Frost—wasn't the Wolf School's situation supposed to be improving?
The sorceress opened her mouth, seeming to want to say something. But then, for some reason, she closed it again, her face shifting between emotions. Without explanation, she asked again: "Are you still unwilling?"
Allen nodded.
His closest friends were here at Kaer Morhen. As long as the Wolf School didn't relocate, this was his home.
Besides, with the White Frost approaching, the world would be destroyed anyway, so where could he even escape?
The sorceress sighed, took a sip of hot tea, and asked: "So... would you want to be the head of the Wolf School?"
The room fell silent as though a pause button had been pressed.
Now, Allen's face showed a complex mix of emotions.
Head...
Was that something he could just decide to be?
Though Sol had been in low spirits lately, she had been actively teaching him the techniques of fortress building earlier this morning. Then, Allen remembered what Sol had said that morning. Could it be that Sol had sent Vera to test him? Did Sol really intend to step down?
"Did the Head ask you to bring this up?" Allen asked cautiously.
"Sol does want you to be the next Head, but she hasn't asked me..." Vera shook her head. "I'm only asking."
"So, Allen, do you want to take that position?"
Allen certainly did. Being commander of the Witcher Corps was significant and gave him a decent amount of influence. But among his troop of ten, seven were only capable of fighting drowners.
The remaining three—Hughes, Bond, and Fred—might be slightly stronger, but they'd still struggle if they encountered even a lesser foglet. Realistically, they had potential, but not much else.
However, if he became the head of the Wolf School…
Not only would the Witcher Troop's hunting targets shift to large monsters, but smaller creatures like foglets and swamp hags would be beneath them.
The very thought of leading a group of Witcher Masters on a hunt excited him. And it wasn't just about increasing the Witcher Troop's strength.
The organization's structure, recruitment of new blood, and coordination of contracts...
Becoming the head would bring hidden advantages that could potentially surpass the superficial ones.
Take, for example, positioning spies in the northern kingdoms to gather intelligence, manage public opinion...
Such actions might seem necessary to keep an eye on sorcerers, nobility, and even the Wild Hunt's movements. However, if Sol remained as head, the neutrality of the Wolf School would not allow for such actions. Suggesting such a plan would risk violating the organization's principles.
Yet to accurately monitor the movements of sorcerers, nobles, and the Wild Hunt, these actions were indispensable.
There were many such crucial matters that he currently couldn't carry out.
Even hinting to the head would stir suspicion.
So…
Did he want to be head?
Did he want to steer the Wolf School without hindrance?
Of course, he did.
However...
In front of Vera, Allen couldn't admit it outright. There was a line between allies and close friends.
Even though he and Vera were close…
Compared to Sol, with whom Vera had a deeply rooted history and whose relationship seemed rekindled, Vera would naturally lean toward Sol. Besides, even if Sol truly considered stepping down, it wouldn't mean she'd hand over her position just because Allen agreed.
Ideas could change in a matter of days. Should the school overcome its crisis and prosper, Sol might change her mind.
And given their mentor-student lineage—a relationship barely hanging on through generations—Sol could easily grow wary if she sensed someone waiting to take her position.
Allen would certainly feel the same.
In his previous life, countless examples in history proved this.
So...
"Isn't it too soon to consider that?" Allen said earnestly. "Sol is still the most suited for that role. He's young, just affected by that scum, Henselt…"
As if his words might be unconvincing, Allen added: "Look at Hen Gedymdeith, the head of Ban Ard; he's still sitting comfortably in his office…"
Hearing Allen's words, Vera's expression shifted slightly, gazing into his sapphire cat-like eyes.
The Witcher held her gaze, his face steadfast.
After a while, as if she had seen through him, Vera's delicate face dimmed in the candlelight, averting her eyes from Allen's.
"I see…" she sighed softly. "Alright, if Sol asks, I'll tell her what you said."
Allen sighed in relief.
But then…
Seeing Vera's expression of resignation, Allen suddenly felt as though she had seen through him. He sensed a subtle, transparent wall of unfamiliarity growing between them—a barrier created by his dishonesty.
Feeling a bit uneasy, he opened his mouth to say something to ease the mood.
"Bang~"
"It's getting late…" Vera put down her cup of still-warm tea, "Allen, get some rest."
Allen, who had been about to speak, quickly stood up and escorted Vera to the door.
"Squeak~"
The wooden door swung open.
"Ms. Vera, you should also get some rest…" Allen paused and offered reassurance, "Sol is a true hero. He'll recover soon and won't be mired in sorrow."
"Is that so?" Vera halted on the stone steps, giving a faint smile.
"He will," Allen nodded firmly.
Vera's face softened. After nodding slightly, she turned as if to descend the stone steps. Yet after only a few steps, she stopped and looked back at the Witcher, her gaze piercing into his sapphire eyes.
"By the way, Allen…" she asked, seemingly nonchalant.
"Do you… do you want to know who your parents are?"
.....
📢20 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢
For advance chapters: p@treon.com/Uchiha_Itachi007 (replace @ with a)
313. A Good Mother Like Vera.
314. The Situation Has Changed! The Wolf School is Moving to Aedirn!
315. The Wolf School is Done!
316. The Witcher Corps's First Group Hunt.
317. Stone Wants to Stay.