Chapter 12: Circle of Elements
In the quiet winter of Kaer Morhen, life was peaceful and perfect for focused training. Wayne became more enthusiastic about Geralt's teachings, especially after learning the method to increase his mutation level. Accompanied by the master swordsman Geralt, Wayne honed his skills with the silver sword, hunting monsters around Kaer Morhen with swift and ruthless efficiency. His primary goal was to gather materials for making potions. Monsters that are easier to deal with, such as water ghosts and Endrega were attacked by Wayne every two days and were almost killed to extinction.
This made Geralt, who was always by his side, feel very strange. He wondered why this young witcher was so obsessed with collecting the materials needed to make potions. Could it be that he liked the taste of potions?
However, Wayne's crazily brewing potion lasted less than a month before he had to stop. In this cold winter, whether it is the spirits needed to brew potions or the herbs that grow all over the world, they are all rare and expensive resources.
Such a large consumption cannot be supported without prior preparation. But even so, Wayne has gained a lot from this month's crazy medicine practice. Ever since he learned how to make the witcher potion, he has consumed at least three bottles of potion every day.
On the one hand, it is to exercise his mutation skills, and on the other hand, it is to adapt his body to the potion and enhance his poison resistance. This month-long hard work not only increased his mutation level by one level but also allowed him to acquire a new subsidiary skill.
Alchemy LV1: potion effect +4%.
Wayne's remarkable achievements during this period were not solely a result of his own efforts. The support and camaraderie of his fellow witchers in the Wolf School played a crucial role in his progress. Their assistance in gathering herbs, materials, and monster-slaying expeditions were vital to his training and potion-making endeavors.
Wayne showed his appreciation by preparing a lavish feast for his fellow witchers. He prepared a variety of dishes, such as smoked sausages, pickled salted fish, braised rabbit meat, roasted venison leg, delicious fish soup, and sweet wild vegetables harvested from the forest. The table was adorned with ten different dishes. As they enjoyed the meal, Lambert couldn't help but express his satisfaction and admiration.
"I've missed Wayne's cooking since leaving Kaer Morhen's castle at the beginning of the year. it's just ordinary ingredients, but he can always make amazing flavors. I've been looking forward to winter ever since"
Eskel nodded when he heard the words and scooped himself a bowl of delicious fish soup from the bowl. He drank half of the bowl in one gulp, and then said: "Wayne's cooking is better than it was last year."
Geralt was also enjoying a braised rabbit leg, eating it intently without interrupting. In the past month, it was not an easy job to accompany Wayne to collect herbs and slaughter monsters in the cold forest every day.
The witchers of the Wolf School were known for their strong sense of unity. Despite not sharing blood relations, they considered each other as family and were always willing to support their fellow witchers.
Sitting at the head of the dining table, Vesemir, who was nearly three hundred years old, looked at the warm scene in front of him, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
Since the downfall of the Witcher Order, the lives of the Witchers had grown increasingly challenging. Opportunities for the witchers to come together and share meals like this had become rare.
He coughed lightly, drawing the attention of those present, and then addressed Geralt:
"Once spring arrives, Wayne will depart from Kaer Morhan. Geralt, tomorrow, you will accompany him to the circle of Elements located in the back mountains. Assist him in activating the emblem of our Wolf School. For us witchers, the magic badge is an indispensable tool. It enables us to detect magic fluctuations around us and shield our eyes from the blinding effects of magic."
Geralt hadn't reacted yet, but Wayne's eyes lit up after hearing the circle of elements.
The Circle of Elements is a place where magic is too strong, and Wayne had nearly forgotten about it during his year-and-a-half stay at Kaer Morhen. Gamers familiar with the game know that it not only enhances a witcher's sign power and recharges magic items but also grants the protagonist, Geralt, an extra skill point in The Witcher game.
Hearing this, Geralt picked up a glass of beer and downed it, shrugged nonchalantly, and said, "Leave it to me, Vesemir. It's not the first time I've done this."
The old witcher hummed, then suddenly remembered something and added, "By the way, be cautious around the group of trolls ahead of the mountain. It seems like something's been going on with them lately. Try to avoid any conflicts."
After saying this, the old witcher said to Wayne with a serious expression, "And you, kid, I heard from Geralt that you've been drinking potions lately, even when you're not fighting. These things contain a lot of toxicity, even if we are demon hunters, it will cause damage to our bodies. I don't know what's on your mind, but for the sake of your body, you'd better stop this behavior."
Hearing this, Wayne originally wanted to explain a few words, but seeing the concerned expression on the old witcher's face, he could only nod and said, "Understood teacher, I will pay attention."
He decided to reduce the amount of potions he drank during his days in Kaer Morhen. It just
so happened that there were not many potions in reserve. If he drank slowly, he might be able to last until the beginning of spring.
After Vesemir finished his speech, the dining table fell silent again. Except for Lambert,the others were not talkative. Besides, the delicacy on the table was so tempting that no one was in the mood to chat too much.
Early the next morning, Wayne, who was a little excited, came to Geralt's room and yelled at the sleeping white wolf. He couldn't wait to see if the ring of elements would have a special effect on him. If it can also add a skill point to him like in the Witcher game, then in the future, searching for rings of elements all over the world will be a good way for him to increase his strength.
After being woken up by someone, he cursed in a low voice and then said, "Little guy, you are too impatient. "Didn't the old man teach you? The most important thing for a witcher is patience and caution. Most of the guys who are not careful will die in the monster's lair within a year of leaving Kaer Morhen"
Wayne smiled a little embarrassedly and said, "Sorry, Geralt, I'm just excited about the circle of Elements and magic emblems. I've prepared a hearty breakfast for you. Let's eat quickly and set off early. After we're finished, we can spare some time to go hunting in the forest and bring back some game."