Even If the Price Is an Apprentice's Life

Upon hearing this, the previously somewhat relaxed group immediately became serious.

"The School of the Wolf and the School of the Cat, as two schools of witchers from the same country, are participating in a competition organized by the king for the first time."

"Although the specific projects may change each time, they generally fall into three categories..."

"Hunting monsters, sword fighting, and melee combat."

Vesemir paused, then continued:

"Hunting monsters is simple: the school that kills the most monsters in an hourglass wins."

"The monsters that kings usually prepare are water ghosts. There are monsters like Ghoul, but most of them are water ghosts."

"Our school has historically won the most in this competition."

"As for sword fighting..."

Ailin noticed that Vesemir's face darkened slightly, and knew that the School of the Wolf usually lost more often in sword duels.

It's not hard to understand.

Although I have never encountered the School of the Cat in real life.

However, in the game, this school of thought's combat characteristics are derived from elves, with agile and swift swordsmanship and extremely high flexibility.

Often during their apprenticeship, Witchers of the School of the Cat begin practicing walking a tightrope with their eyes closed.

However, the main reason that made Vesemir's face turn dark was probably because the School of the Cat usually wielded steel swords far more often than silver swords.

"If the characteristic of the School of the Wolf of swordsmanship is rotation, then the greatest power is obtained through rotation to break through the monster's defense."

"The characteristic of the School of the Cat swordsmanship is speed, discarding all factors that affect speed and focusing on thrusting."

Huus grasped the key point and asked in confusion:

"Prioritize speed? How do the School of the Cat of Witchers break through the monsters' defenses?"

Upon hearing this, Vesemir's expression darkened further, and he said, enunciating each word clearly:

"The scum of the School of the Cat rarely take on monster-killing jobs; they are more likely to take on jobs that violate the Witcher's code of conduct, such as murder and assassination."

"The negative impact of their actions hangs over us like a dark cloud, tarnishing our reputation."

"Disgraceful!"

Huus rarely saw Vesemir looking so resentful, so he didn't dare ask any more questions.

However, after composing himself, the Witcher Master gave the four of them a serious look and reminded them:

"While it is despicable for cats to extend their claws to their own kind, those kittens' swordsmanship should not be underestimated, especially since it is a counter to us School of the Wolf witchers."

As he spoke, Vesemir unfastened his leather armor, pulled up the white lining, pointed to a narrow scar on his chest, and warned:

"This scar was left on me thirty years ago by a School of the Cat witcher who was disguised as a bandit."

"I almost died back then."

"Ah!" Several young witchers exclaimed in surprise as they looked at the wound.

It was so close to the heart that it was clearly intended to kill Vesemir.

"Doesn't he know you're a Witcher too?" Huus asked, bewildered.

As fellow witchers, shouldn't we support and help each other?

How could they possibly turn on each other with swords drawn and even fight to the death?

"Of course he knows!"

Vesemir suppressed a low growl.

"With two swords on his back, Cotton Armor and having heterochromatic eyes, how could he not know?"

"At the time, I was traveling with a caravan when I received a commission to protect the caravan from monsters along the way."

"On the way, the witcher suddenly darted out of the bushes beside me. His swift steel sword was like lightning. In the blink of an eye, he killed three or four guards and left me with this scar."

"If it weren't for the Witcher's keen senses reminding me..."

"Phew~"

Vesemir let out a long breath, as if to release the pent-up frustration in his heart.

It's clear that even though thirty years have passed since that ambush, Vesemir still hasn't forgotten it.

Instead, their resentment grew stronger over time.

He agrees with the School of the Wolf's principles of neutrality and honor, and he especially cannot tolerate the despicable and treacherous elements among these Witcher.

"And then?" Fred pressed.

Vesemir glanced at him and continued:

"Then I used the Igni Sign to set his clothes on fire, and I saw his Cat Eyes."

"But he was too badly injured at the time, and he managed to escape."

Vesemir shook his head helplessly, then turned the topic back to the fighting tournament.

"The swordsmanship of the School of the Wolf was not created for the purpose of killing its own kind, so it has many flaws in the eyes of the School of the Cat."

"In the past apprentice competitions, we have mostly lost in this project, and quite a few School of the Wolf witchers have even died by the swords of their own kind."

"So..."

Vesemir gave the four apprentices a serious look and said in a firm and resolute voice:

"Show no mercy."

"The core members of the School of the Cat are a group of psychopaths, madmen or sadists, and they select homeless children with violent tendencies as apprentices."

"So don't hold back, or you'll lose, you'll die."

"Don't be stubborn if you can't win. Admit defeat when you should. Life is the most important thing."

Huus, Fred, and Bont looked at each other in bewilderment.

Bont couldn't help but ask, "But isn't this competition related to the school's funding for next year?"

"The School of the Wolf doesn't need to exchange the blood of its apprentices for money." Vesemir shook his head firmly, then looked at Ailin.

"Ailin, you too. Life comes first, you know?"

Ailin hadn't had a chance to respond yet.

The three young witchers were unhappy.

"Master Vesemir, how could Ailin possibly be unable to defeat him?"

Yes! Yes!

Vesemir did not respond to them; his dark golden Cat Eyes stared straight at Ailin.

Although Ailin didn't think he would lose, this was Vesemir's way of showing concern for him, and there was no need to argue about who would win.

So I agreed.

"Yes, Master Vesemir."

Vesemir nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at the other young witchers and reprimanded them:

"Of course I know that Ailin's strength is not a problem, but in actual combat, does strength alone guarantee victory?"

"Have you forgotten how witchers hunt monsters?"

"No Witcher Master is stronger than the Cyclops, but the Cyclops is only the lowest-ranking large monster."

The three young witchers were bewildered, seemingly knowing something yet understanding nothing at all.

After carefully considering Vesemir's words, Ailin's expression gradually turned serious:

"Master Vesemir, are you saying that the School of the Cat will use any means necessary to win the arena tournament, just like we hunt monsters?"

Although his attributes have improved, they still haven't reached the average level of Witcher Master.

Elemental Affinity isn't high enough to require a silver sword to break through its defenses.

So in this dangerous world, Ailin will still die, and perhaps she will die very easily.

Just like Geralt White Wolf killed by a pitchfork.

"I don't know," Vesemir sighed. "I only know that the despicable School of the Cat would certainly care more about the king's patronage than the School of the Wolf."

"Even if the price is the lives of their apprentices!"