From the PR: Hey, guys! Were sorry for the delay in releases recently. Because of the translator change, weve had to stop for a bit. Im releasing this chapter just to show that we are, indeed, still translating this series and not dropping it. Itll be a bit before the s are available, so we thank you for your patience. Enjoy!

Coral had a room in the temple, and it was faithfully recreated in a sorceress style. The design and furniture were lavish. There was a dressing table made out of mahogany, and it was decked out with various makeup products. Roy noticed the crystal accessories hanging around, and the gigantic storage box that was sitting quietly in a corner. There was a telescope lying around, and a big, purple bed filled with feathers sat in the middle. The weirdest thing about the room was its walls. They were covered in beast hides, but the style was jarring, for the hides came from different animals.

Coral waved her hand, and a deer hide flew toward her. Roy stood beside the bed, taking in the girly view, and he looked at her nervously. For some reason, Roy couldnt take his eyes off her since the day before. Coral still looked as exquisite as before. Her makeup added so much to her charm, and the purple crystal earrings made her look more magical. She was also wearing an obsidian necklace.

However, she had switched her dress out for a blue silk one. The dress design was bold, for the middle was only tied together by two straps of cloth, revealing almost her whole waist. Roy took a deep breath to refresh himself, though all he could smell was Corals scent. It was refreshing too, of course. Every sorceress would equip herself with a perfume of her style. They loved to spend money on that too. For example, Yennefer always sported a perfume that smelled of lilac and gooseberries. Anyone could smell it before she even showed up. Lytta, of course, had a distinct fragrance to her as well.

Lets see She stared at the hole in Roys leather armor. I know a bit of tailoring, and thisll work well. Ill modify your armor so it can fit you better. And Ill up the aesthetic too. Of course, this holes going to be patched up.

I-I see. Roy was nervous because of the beds presence. He was worried something might happen to him. Why dont we go to the lab. I can always get some new clothes.

Oh, are you worried you might bother me? Coral chuckled. Dont worry. Ill patch this up with magic. Its really easy. Coral brushed her hand across the hole in Roys armor, and she muttered an incantation. Roy felt a gust of air brush across him, and then the hole was gone. When he looked closely, he noticed that a part of the deer hide was missing too.

Magics awesome.

It gets less awesome when you get involved with it, Coral mumbled. Now take your clothes off, boy.

What? Roys heart skipped a beat. But my armors patched up, and Lethos waiting for me. I cant stand him up.

Ah, ignore him. Coral looked at him, stopping for a moment when she noticed his pointy ears. You kept it a secret, but I know youre a part-elf. Dont let that go to waste. Youre supposed to be elegant, not a brute like Letho out there. Ill craft a more suitable shirt for you. Youre going to be the girls center of attention. I guarantee it personally.

Forget it. Im a witcher, and I fight all the time. I run through clothes easily. Roy never liked flashy clothes. He preferred practicality over flashiness.

You know you cant say no to me.

Roy took his armor and clothes off, since he couldnt refuse anyway. His shoulder, back, chest, and belly were covered in bruises. Most were starting to heal, while some were new. They were the results of his training over the past month. Coral touched his bruises, and Roy frowned, but didnt wince.

Hes cruel. Coral frowned angrily. If he keeps hurting you before you heal, your bodys going to be filled with bruises once the hormone injections are done.

Itll heal eventually. Roy had no complaints, since Letho was massaging him every day. Besides, these scars are my pride. Not like theyll be there permanently. Theyll be gone once I level up.

No. No woman would love a man filled with scars. Coral muttered an incantation, and a flash of bright light covered Roy. A cool sensation traveled his body, as if he were covered in a cooling salve. Coral nodded, then she stopped chanting. The sorceress gesticulated, controlling the needle and thread from afar as she patched his armor up.

Roy didnt agree with her statement though. A certain someone was scarred by a sword and had a lot of wrinkles on his face, but he was still popular with women. Flirting is all about the vibe.

Sit right here. Coral pushed him down on her lap, then she leaned ahead and took his measurements with her hands.

On the other hand, Roy stiffened at the sight of her magnificent breasts. His whole body stiffened. Not just one particular spot.

Coral smiled. I stand corrected. The hormone injection worked well. And Im sure you know all too well about it.

What do you mean?

The hormones accelerated your metabolism and growth. Youre sexually developed now. Once you sleep with someone, thatll be the end of the first part of the trial.

I have to sleep with someone? Does that mean se Roy gawked at Coral. Are you sure you should say that to a young, hormonal teenager?

Dont be embarrassed. She winked at him. Ive seen every inch of your body when you were out cold. And Ill let you in on another secret. Im old enough to be your great-great-great grandmother. If I had any descendants, my great-great-great granddaughter would be around your age. Coral took a strand of red hair off of Roys face. For some reason, Roy thought she sounded melancholic.

Cant imagine anyones great-great-great grandmother looking as hot as you. Roy calmed himself down. Most sorceresses had a long life and outstanding beauty, but they could never bear children. After getting reengineered at their academies, their reproductive organs would shut down, closing the door to pregnancy. That was the pain they had to bear.

Yennefer tried to hunt down the green dragon once, for she wanted to be fertile once more. When she was about to succeed, the golden dragon swooped in and ruined her plans. After that, Yennefer saw Ciri as her daughter. Part of it was because she couldnt have her own children, so she poured her love onto Ciri.

Some sorceresses were lucky enough to retain their fertility. Visenna was one example of that. She was Geralts mother. But that was a long time ago. Even if there were sorceresses who remained fertile after the reengineering, the academies would require them to magically neuter themselves. That was the sacrifice for magic and eternal beauty.

***

Coral kept patching up his armor while chatting with him. She sounded loving and almost motherly. Letho wouldnt do that, and when Roy thought about how much she took care of him, he felt touched.

Oh, right. She patted his head. A womans age is their biggest secret, and now Ive told my secret to you. You should tell me your secret in exchange. Where are your parents? And when did you find out you were a part-elf?

Moore and Susie, huh? Roy was reminded of the fact that it had been four months since he and his parents went their own ways. He wondered how they were doing in Novigrad. I should ask Letho if I can send them a letter. He modified his background story and told that version to Coral. However, he kept his character sheet, his life in the other world, and the Child of the Sun a secret.

Lytta wasnt satisfied with the story, so she stared at Roy. Do you know who Casiga is, Roy?

No. Who is she? Your friend? Another sorceress? He massaged his temples as he combed his memories for that name, but he got nothing.

Thats her new name. It symbolizes her departure from her past life. Her old name was Toya. She smiled when she noticed Roy was surprised.

Thats the hunchback I helped out in Aldersberg. Did she finally get into the academy? You saw her. Realization struck Roy, and then he started concerning himself with Casiga. So Toya I mean Casiga, has joined Aretuza. How is she doing? Is everything well?

Dont worry. She has started her life as a disciple, and itll go on for ten years, according to the academys syllabus. Shes probably practicing meditation with her fellow disciples. She gets along well with everyone. Even made some friends. Besides, life on Thanedd might be boring, but at least memorizing and chanting incantations is better than getting tortured by her family.

Roy heaved a long sigh, and his mood was buoyed. He smiled, genuinely happy for Toya.

Coral noticed that smile, and she nodded. An old friend told me about it when I went for a visit last month. She talked of her past in great detail during the interview. It was then we found out that you were the reason she even got there in the first place. Then Mother Nenneke asked me to help you guys out. When I heard you were involved, I decided to come over to see what the fuss was all about. I couldnt believe a witchers disciple would meddle in this kind of affair.

No wonder shes so warm to me, like Im a friend.

She thought about what had happened, and she twiddled her thumbs, her eyes filled with surprise. You helped a girl with a tragic past escape her life in Aldersberg, sending her to the Isle of Thanedd so she can join Aretuza. Thats unheard of. Even in fairy tales. She looked down into his eyes, her hair tumbling down the sides of her head. Youre famous in Aretuza, you know. She tried to see through him. If you ever go there, the sorceresses will gawk at you like youre some sort of new creature. Someone probably wants to dissect your brain and see how it works. Whyd you help a deformed girl, anyway?

All Roy could smell was a nice fragrance, as if he were sleeping on a bed of roses. Coral was the only person he could see. Everything else was unimportant. His heart started pounding as he fell further into his trance. Roy started feeling lost, as if he were hypnotized, but he snapped out of it quickly. Roy looked away, then he got off from her lap and stood.

So you want to know the reason. Roy licked his lips, pacing back and forth. I stumbled upon To Casiga among all the humans and dwarves in Aldersberg. That was probably fate. You know how religious witchers are about fate. Since fate decreed this meeting, and since I could help her out, thats what I did.

You pitied her?

Roy didnt deny it, though he elaborated, But a bigger part of it was because I wanted someone to help me out if ever I was in a pickle. This was an investment. If Casiga were to fail, then that would mean I would have done everything for nothing.

Coral suddenly chuckled. She was gorgeous whenever she laughed. Then she raised her finger, and the shirt and armor slipped onto Roy by magic.

What are you laughing at? Roy buttoned his shirt, stomped his foot, and moved his limbs around. He also realized there was a crest on his armor. It looked like a rose and a briar at the same time.

Coral stopped laughing, though her breathing became shallow. Youre a young boy, and youre talking about fate with me? Why, Im old enough to be your ancestor. I wouldnt mind if the one talking was Letho though.

At least thats what I believe.

Very well, then. Ill go along with that. Coral looked at him gently, her gaze full of approval. Since you helped a sorceress out, you shall be duly rewarded. She leaned forward, wearing a serious look on her face. Ill do my best to help you out in the trial, with or without the recipe. I will make sure you pass. Thats a promise.