[TL: Asuka]

[PR: Ash]

Dawn arrived, and Roy exited his meditating state. One look at his character sheet, and he felt like roaring in delight. Even though he used up the components he spent a month collecting, he gained more than 600 EXP in exchange. It was worth it. EXP bar is full. Full Recovery can be used anytime, and I have almost everything the Manticore Trial needs.

Roy was getting closer to fulfilling the terms of becoming an intermediate witcher.

'Witcher rank: Beginner

Rank up conditions:

1. Take another Trial (non-Viper)

2. Kill monsters who have >10 in any single stat and gain their mutagen (8/10).'

Two more mutagens and I can ask Coral to hold that Trial for me once we're in Novigrad next time.

***

He tucked Gryphon the squirrel into his hood and went down the stairs. When I see the Wolves again, I'm going all out with the convincing, and Geralt's gonna be my first target. I know all the people he cares about. I can hit him where it hurts most.

Roy ran into Lambert when he exited the tower.

He was in black armor and tight pants. Two sword hilts protruded from his back, and his hair was slicked back. The witcher seemed like he was going on a long trip. Roy noticed him muttering under his breath, and there was excitement in his eyes. "Is your offer still up?"

So they agreed? A delighted Roy quickly said, "I never lie, Lambert. The brotherhood always welcomes you."

"Not the brotherhood, kid." Lambert shook his head in disdain. "Just listening to your speech almost put me to sleep. Building an organization and researching the Trial recipe? Talk is easy, but I'm no fool. That wasn't enough to convince me. If I waste my time on something that stupid, I'd have no freedom to speak off." Lambert scoffed. "I have no ambition or dreams to speak of. If anything, I'd rather be a mercenary who gets all the girls and plays Gwent all day. The brotherhood is too heavy a burden to bear."

"You have easier options."

"If that was supposed to be a lie, you aren't doing a very good job at it."

Roy nodded. "What about Geralt and Eskel? What was the result of your discussion?"

Lambert shook his head. "We think your idea isn't bad, but it's too radical. Too ahead of its time. An alliance is the best for now. Gathering around a bonfire every winter to talk about our triumphs and losses is the way to go for now. The brotherhood should wait until things are more established."

Not like the Northern War is going to give us that much time. You sure you don't want to do this? Roy thought to himself, but he said, "Time is of the essence. You have no idea about the danger that is to come. Ten years down the line"

"Ah, that again? Who knows what the future holds?" Lambert shook his head. "If that time comes, we'll deal with it."

Roy squinted at him. Looks like I'll have to go with Plan B and convince them one by one. And this loudmouth is gonna be my first target.

Lambert changed the subject. "Let's talk about the jobs you mentioned. The alchemist and bodyguard jobs. I'm very interested in them."

"But I thought Geralt said Wolves only take requests for a living. Doing anything else would be breaking the tradition." Roy wondered why Lambert was willing to take the opposite stance.

"Geralt, Eskel, and Vesemir are made of the same stubborn mold. There's a generational gap between us. A few gaps if Vesemir is included." Lambert's face lit up. "But I'm young. Just about thirty years older than you are. I don't reject non-traditional work. Working as an alchemist or a bodyguard for a year or so is a-okay."

"You don't seem to like Vesemir very much." Roy paid attention to his expression.

"Precisely speaking, I hate him. If he hadn't forced me into coming to this remote castle with the Law of Surprise, I'd have been a grandfather by now. But let's not talk about him. Are you gonna take me for the job or nah?"

"Of course. Just travel to the ballroom and pass some tests."

"And I thought I'd get accepted immediately. Hey, we fought together once, so can I get paid more coins?" Lambert wrapped his arms around Roy's shoulder and headed to the castle entrance. "Damn weather is freezing my arse. Let's talk while we walk."

They went past the training grounds. On most days, Eskel would have been training here, but he was absent for some reason. To make things weirder, Roy didn't run into anyone no matter how much he walked around. The fortress was terrifyingly quiet.

"Wait. Where are you taking me?" Roy knew something was off. "Where's Geralt, Vesemir, and everyone else?"

"You slept in for too long. We ran out of meat, so they went out for a hunt this morning. Can't just eat bear paws every day. And I stayed back for a reason. Eskel took you around the castle, but not outside. There are a lot of beautiful places around Kaer Morhen, and I'm taking you for a stroll."

***

Across the grated gate they went and into the snow fields they traveled. Lambert changed directions and led Roy into a downward path at the hill behind the keep. "And now we're circling behind the pond. You're going to see the first Trial for every Wolfthe Circle of Elements."

"What's that?" Roy pretended to have no idea what that was.

"A place of magic. Man-made. It's filled with chaos energy and is almost as old as Vesemir. Anyone who passes the Trial will undergo their first trial there." Lambert turned around. "The first time you meditate in a place of magic, your mana will be permanently increased. And you might even get a substantial reward depending on how talented you are. Sorry if you're talentless though."

Delight welled up within the young witcher. This is a big gift!

"Wolves have to pass a ton of Trials. Once they meditate for the first time in the Circle of Elements, they'll get a Wolven badge that represents their faction. Letho told me you haven't returned to Gorthur Gvaed, not even after you became a witcher. You've never come in touch with a place of magic, so don't miss this." Lambert grinned.

Roy nodded. "But even if I pass the trial, I'm still a Viper. I won't dump my friends to join Kaer Morhen. But it's a different story if we build that brotherhood."

"Is that all you think about?" Lambert turned his head away stiffly.

They went through a hill by the cliff and leapt above the rotting fence on the edge. Verdant plains covered in snow slept underneath, and a pine forest swayed over it. In the distance stood a hillock draped in a blanket of mist, and a stream meandered into the valley between mountains. Roy could hear the sloshing and swishing of the water.

"If we want to pass that mountain, we'll have to swim across the river, right?"

"We'll be rowing." Lambert leapt down the two-meter slope as easily as a puma. And Roy followed.

"Is being an alchemist a busy job? How long do I have to work every day?"

"The apothecary shop is selling a popular potion. It enhances men's sexual energy, so we're doing better than most shops. We sell about ten of those every day, and since it's a potion, you spend considerably less time making it compared to decoctions. Eight hours of work per day or less, five days a week. And Vivaldi's business insurance policy on the house. And we provide food and accommodation."

"Not bad." And then the look on Lambert's face changed. "You're a bloodsucker! How did you manage to master the art of capitalism? I almost fell for it!"

Through a wooden bridge the witchers traversed and into the hillock with a meandering path they went. The witchers ran like the wind and went straight for the clearing in the woods.

And then they ran into trouble. Their pendants trembled, and six ugly, winged humanoid monsters appeared from behind the mountain walls around them. They circled overhead, screeching and snarling at the witchers.

Roy stared at the ugliest of the bunch and cast Observe.

'Harpy

Age: Six years old

HP: 80

Mana: ??

Strength: 6

Dexterity: 9

Constitution: 8

Perception: 8

Will: 4

Charisma: 3

Spirit: 5

Skills:

Chimera (Passive): Harpies have the best traits of eagles and fish. They can fly and survive underwater. Their strong digestive system allows them to ingest rotten and fresh meat. Human flesh included. +2 to Dexterity, Constitution, and Perception.'

***

"What are they, the erynias family? They're as ugly as them. No, erynias are more colorful." Roy quickly grasped the air and brandished a hand crossbow. At the same time, he cast Quen and covered himself with a yellow shield.

"Look out for yourself, kid! It's every man for himself!" Lambert unsheathed his silver sword and went into the ox stance. He half-crouched, ready to strike at first notice.

A white flash flew through the air, and the bolt hit its target.

The harpy let out a scream before it fell like a kite that lost its string.

Footprints appeared on the snowy ground as Roy dragged his blade and pounced at the harpy like a cheetah on a hunt. He fell down like a meteorite and thrust his blade through the harpy's blade.

'Harpy killed. EXP +80.'

"Look out!"

Roy quickly ducked and rolled away.

The claws that were intended for his nape missed, and a harpy made its landing. The impact from its claws stirred up a little storm made of snow and grass.

It was getting ready to make the next attack, but it never came. Roy got up right away and pushed his left hand forward. The air current made the harpy fall, and the young witcher took a step ahead. He stepped on the monster's chest while plunging his blade into its neck. Blood spurted like a fountain, and its head rolled away.

He turned around and brandished his hand crossbow. Right away, he fired two bolts that pierced the back of a harpy's head, and it fell down beside Lambert.

The Wolf flicked the blood off his sword. He too had taken care of two harpies. "Not a bad shot, you."

"And you swing a mean sword." Roy gave him a thumbs up and went to loot the monsters.

Fifteen minutes later, the witchers packed up and made their way to the boat beside the lake.