章 3: 3. The Alpha Wolf
[Monster "Drowner" Lv2 Defeated!]
[Rewards Settlement: Victory, Basic Rating D, Higher-Level Kill +1—D+, Decapitation Intimidation +3—C+, Main Quest +3—B+]
[Final Rating: B+]
[Loot Obtained: Drowner's Heart Essence, Small Experience Bead *10, Drowner's Chest *4]
[Main Quest Completed: The Beginning of the Monster Hunter's Path (Kill Drowner 1/1)]
[Reward Obtained: Identification Skill LV1]
The influx of information made Allen's mind ring like a school bell, with a constant ding-ding-ding. Coupled with the fact that the [Monster Hunting] skill instantly drained his stamina.
Allen's vision went black, and he collapsed onto the drowner's corpse. He only managed to stand up again after about ten seconds. The Master Witcher's indifferent face was just a step away.
"This must be revenge!" Allen thought.
The center of the training ground was only about eight or nine meters from the edge. With the Master Witcher's abilities, he could have reached Allen before he collapsed on the corpse. But Vesemir did not.
"Allen… how did you do it?"
A surprised voice came from beside him. Allen and Vesemir both looked at the speaker, Letho.
Letho was holding the drowner's head, looking incredulous. Killing a drowner with a steel sword as an apprentice was nearly impossible in itself. And the method of killing was decapitation!
The drowner's skin, muscle, and bones were all protected by chaotic magic. Only a silver sword could weaken or even ignore these protections.
A steel sword? Decapitation?
This method was something not even an experienced witcher like Letho could accomplish. The onlookers gathered around Allen and the headless drowner's body were equally shocked by Allen's prowess.
The headless corpse was still gushing blood. Noticing the astonished expressions around him, Allen finally understood the gravity of his accomplishment. But at the same time, he was also plunged into another dilemma—how to explain Letho's question?
Just as Allen was frantically thinking, racking his brains for an excuse, a deep voice came to his rescue.
"Letho, witchers are not all the same."
The witchers surrounding Allen and the headless drowner made way for the source of the voice.
"In the early experimental records of the school, it is noted that apprentices who undergo a perfect mutation during the Trial of the Grasses have a slight chance of awakening the Witcher's Eye."
"Those who possess it can see the flow of chaotic magic within a monster's body."
Seeing the identity of the newcomer, the witchers all lowered their heads slightly and greeted him: "Chief."
"Good morning, Chief."
The man called Chief nodded in response. He had long black hair and pale gray skin. His rare gray cat eyes seemed to contain the eternal snow of the Blue Mountains.
This was a man as imposing as Kaer Morhen itself. Although it was a bit strange, this was Allen's first impression of him.
But the Witcher's Eye, which could see the flow of chaotic magic?
Did the game have such a setting?
The Chief nodded appreciatively at Allen and then glanced at the ghastly head in Letho's hand, saying calmly: "Letho, even after passing the Trial of the Mountains, you must not stop your studies."
Letho's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat, and he repeatedly agreed, looking like a poor student being questioned by a teacher: "Yes, Chief, I'll head to the library right after teaching these apprentices."
Vesemir: ?
Aren't the apprentices taught by me?
"No problem, Letho. I'll handle the apprentices. You can go ahead," Vesemir said expressionlessly.
Letho: ?
Revenge, isn't it!
Seeing the Chief looking over again, Letho hurriedly changed the topic:
"Vesemir, wasn't there an agreement between you and Allen?"
As soon as he spoke, nearly twenty pairs of eyes focused on Vesemir's face. Vesemir's mouth twitched involuntarily.
Seeing the spotlight turning to him, Allen quickly refused: "No need, it was just a joke earlier."
Vesemir's expression improved greatly upon hearing Allen's words. He unclasped the sword buckle on his armor, and along with the scabbard, he slowly drew out the "Elsa" silver sword from the sword bag, looked at it reluctantly for a moment, then handed it to Allen, saying to the apprentices: "Apprentices, let me teach you another lesson."
"Wolf School witchers value their promises more than their lives."
The powerful voice echoed in the gray castle, sounding particularly firm.
"You speak quite grandly!" Allen thought, "It would be more convincing if your hand didn't tremble while handing over the sword."
Now it was the apprentices who were in a dilemma.
"Take it, apprentice."
The Chief's deep voice rang out, startling everyone. Witchers' promises were indeed more important than their lives, but a sufficient amount of orens was equally valuable to a witcher's life. Monster hunting was a life-risking job. Moreover, this was 17,325 orens. So they were only cheering before Allen killed the drowner.
Letho, known for speaking without thinking, must be regretting it now. But why did the Chief say such a thing? Seeing Allen not moving, the Chief didn't mind and continued speaking to Vesemir: "Vesemir, after the Trial of the Mountains, you and Allen will take on contracts together."
"Within five years, forge a custom silver sword for him that is comparable to this one, and exchange it back for your own sword. Can you do that?"
Vesemir had no objections. Forging a suitable weapon required more than just money. The search for materials, the cooperation of craftsmen, and even a bit of luck during the forging process were needed to get a satisfactory weapon.
To others, "Elsa" might be worth 17,325 orens. But to him, it was worth much more. Moreover, Promises were more important than life. He had intended to give the sword to Allen anyway.
"Of course," Vesemir nodded, then said to Allen, "Take it."
Seeing this, Allen had no choice but to accept "Elsa". The sheathed silver sword was almost as tall as he was. In front of Vesemir, Allen carefully cradled the sword in his arms, avoiding the scabbard scraping the ground. Then, following Vesemir's signal, he walked with the others out of the training ground.
By the fence outside the training ground, Letho had, at some point, moved the other cages covered with black cloth.
"Alright, apprentices, let's continue our practical lesson."
"Who's next?"
No one responded.
Vesemir looked down, puzzled, at the three apprentices. Seeing them all hesitating to step forward, he asked: "What's wrong?"
After hesitating for a long time, Hughes, the sleepyhead, timidly poked his head out, glanced longingly at the "Elsa" in Allen's arms, and asked: "If we win, can we get a silver sword too?"
The other two little heads also looked expectantly at Vesemir.
Vesemir: ?
......
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