ALL NOVEL 62. Will You Surrender?
By the shores of the Killer Lake. Sol pulled Vera to one side, under a willow tree, keeping some distance from the group of master witchers. The chief, noticing Vera's distracted state, tried to divert her attention by asking: "Vera, after you return this time, will you go out again?"
"No, I won't. I've almost finished my investigations. The rest can wait until after winter."
The sorceress's eyes still wandered, intentionally or not, over the surface of the Killer Lake. Seeing this, Sol sighed and reassured her: "Don't worry, Vera."
"We have all witnessed the effects of that potion. There shouldn't be any issues with the Killer Lake during this period."
After a pause, seeing that Vera's expression hadn't improved, the chief continued: "The Old Speartip is probably still asleep at this time. The trolls will only throw some stones to scare the apprentices."
"Don't worry, Vera. Allen will be fine," Sol repeated once more.
The chief of the Wolf School wasn't lying. Although the Mountain Trial had a high mortality rate, it wasn't designed to send apprentices to their deaths. This time of year marked the coldest period at Kaer Morhen. The activity of drowners decreased, and the Old Speartip entered a hibernation-like state, sleeping for many days. As long as the apprentices remained calm and utilized their knowledge and skills, they would surely pass the trial. At least, as long as luck wasn't too unfavorable.
However, most apprentices couldn't stay calm during the High Mountain Trial. It's hard to stay calm in the icy Killer Lake when faced with an unknown number of drowners. But this wasn't a problem for Allen and his batch of apprentices. Fear stemmed from the unknown. When you know where the danger lies, there's no need to panic.
Once past the Killer Lake, adapting to the constant threats, the survival rate would significantly increase. After all, waking the Old Head from its deep sleep wasn't easy. As for the trolls, none of the apprentices had ever been killed by these clumsy monsters.
Hearing Sol's explanation, Vera's expression finally eased. She lowered her head, pondered for a moment, then sighed: "Your situation doesn't look optimistic."
The chief of the Wolf School glanced instinctively at the Witcher masters nearby. These aging Witchers were all watching the chief and Vera intently. When they noticed the chief's gaze, they quickly looked away, as if guilty.
"Snap"
A snap of fingers. A translucent barrier surrounded the chief and the sorceress. Sol sighed again, looked at the sorceress, and asked: "How bad is it?"
The sorceress didn't speak, but gravely shook her head, then walked to the edge of the barrier by the willow tree, turning her back to Sol: "The king is indeed going to act against you."
"And not just you. The Cat School is also one of his targets."
"Why?" Despite being mentally prepared, the Witcher couldn't help raising his voice. "The Cat School maybe, but we of the Wolf School have always been neutral, we never get involved..."
"Sol!"
Vera interrupted the chief's questioning. Yes, the sorceress saw it as questioning, though not directed at her.
"Is it possible that because you have always been neutral, the glutton wants to target you?"
The sorceress paused, then continued: "Besides, aren't there fewer monsters now?"
The Witcher fell silent. He might not understand politics well, but after living for centuries, he could grasp this much. With fewer monsters, there was less need for Witchers.
"So, the duel tournament between the apprentices of the Wolf and Cat Schools is a trap?"
"Most likely," Vera nodded, "but you still have to send people."
"Why?" The Witcher asked in confusion.
"If you don't go, the glutton can use 'disrespect' as an excuse to directly send troops to attack Kaer Morhen."
The Witcher fell silent again. After a long time, he asked sincerely, "Vera, what should I do?"
Hearing this, Vera countered, "Are you willing to lead the Wolf School to surrender to the glutton?"
The chief of the Wolf School naturally shook his head and said: "The Wolf School adheres to neutrality. Losing this principle would mean no more Kaer Morhen."
"And besides..."
Seeing the chief's hesitation, the sorceress asked, "And besides what?"
"Recently, the glutton sent an envoy again to inquire about the elves..."
Before he finished, Sol suddenly recalled, "Right, Allen came to see me a few days ago because of that envoy."
Hearing "Allen," Vera's attention returned. She looked at Sol, focused.
"Allen said that the male sorcerer was problematic, and that the entire Ban Ard Sorcerers' Academy might be hostile to Kaer Morhen."
"Allen also said he dreamed of sorcerers leading farmers and monsters to destroy the ancient sea fortress, killing all the Witchers of the Wolf School."
Hearing this, Vera fell silent for a long time. She carefully inquired about the envoy's arrival, then sighed.
"Sol!"
"The problem is even more serious now."
Hearing this, the chief of the Wolf School felt a weight in his heart. The situation was already dire. How could it get worse?
"I asked many people during my travels."
"So?" Sol asked gravely.
"Among them was a sorcerer... and he is the headmaster of the Ban Ard Academy..."
Vera sighed, glanced at the chief's grim face, and continued: "Sol, the 'glutton' should already know by now..."
"That 'we' are suspicious of him."
.....
Monster Elimination Log
[Monsters 'Foglet' LV19 defeated!]
[Reward calculation: Overcoming odds, base rating D, overcoming greater numbers +1—D+, decapitation intimidation +3—C+]
[Final rating: C+]
[Loot obtained: Foglet Heart Essence2, Experience Orbs7, Foglet Chest*3]
[Ding! Monster Guide 'Foglet' activated]
[Ding! Hunting Quest: Foglet I (Defeat Foglet 0/100) activated, accept?]
"Huff"
Hearing the Monster Log's prompt, the Witcher apprentice finally let out a sigh of relief and sheathed his sword.
"I didn't expect the system prompt at the end of a hunt to be so useful," Allen muttered to himself.
Then, he looked at the first line of the system prompt, the Foglet's level. Scanning down past the barely passing rating and the meager rewards, he couldn't help but sigh.
"My level has indeed risen too high."
But there was no choice. He couldn't risk his life just for more rewards and ratings from small monsters. Comforting himself, the Witcher apprentice continued reading.
Huh?
Every time a quest was activated, the Monster Log would automatically assign it to him without refusal. Why was it asking if he accepted this time? Was it because of the change in evaluation? Did he finally gain some autonomy as a rookie Witcher?
Allen shook his head. Even after having it for a month, he had to admit he still knew nothing about the Monster Log. Of course, the quest had to be accepted.
Then, the Witcher apprentice switched to the inventory panel. He planned to open the chests before leaving. Although he was confident in passing the Mountain Trial, who would complain about having too many treasures or a higher success rate?
...…
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63. Are You Full?
64. Old Speartip Arrives!
65. The Charge of the Cyclops.
66. Do You Think I'm Alone?
67. The Path to Destruction.