Just This?

After reflecting on the unpredictability of fate, the Sorceress began today's lesson—"Instruments and Furnaces."

"Alchemy is an exact art."

"Even with the aid of magic, we still need all manner of instruments for distillation, sublimation, filtration, stabilization..."

"From the witch's cauldron spoken of by ignorant commoners to glass bottles and jars, distillation kettles, and kilns, mages have always sought more precise tools to assist in brewing potions..."

Ding! Spend 9,890 Lesser Experience Orbs to unlock the skill?

It had to be said, being able to steadily reduce the requirements for unlocking alchemy every day felt pretty good.

After one lesson, the requirement had dropped by ten more Lesser Experience Orbs than yesterday.

The amount was not much, but progress was still progress.

I'll treat it as a daily quest, Ailin thought.

Snap.

"Instruments and Furnaces" flew back into place.

The Sorceress Vera looked into Ailin's eyes and reminded him:

"Since you want to brew potions yourself, I removed all the parts of alchemy unrelated to potion-making."

"That does not mean those books are unimportant. Quite the opposite—if you want to go further in alchemy after the Trial of the Mountains, these courses will all be indispensable."

"I'll write down the omitted reading list for you in a few days..."

Vera's explanations were extremely detailed, as if she were afraid Ailin might miss some important knowledge.

But why?

His life had nothing to do with the Sorceress. If he missed these lessons, then he missed them. Why did she care so much about his future?

Ailin had always been a suspicious person, especially sensitive to kindness from others without any apparent reason.

His past experiences had taught him that no one in this world acted without expecting something in return.

That personality had certainly caused him to miss many things, but it had also spared him even more trouble.

Therefore, although Ailin was grateful for the Sorceress's kindness, that thread of vigilance deep within him had never disappeared.

"Mary, bring the mushroom soup over," Vera called toward the inner room.

Creak~

The door to the inner room opened.

Mary came out carrying a waterskin.

Compared to the Sorceress, the girl did not look much different today from yesterday...

Aside from the bump on her forehead.

But Ailin was not familiar with her, after all. He accepted the waterskin, politely thanked them both, and took his leave.

When he left the tower, it was just noon.

Ailin estimated that Vesemir was probably still at the apprentice training grounds, so he headed directly that way.

"Yo! The lucky apprentice is here!"

Leto was also at the training grounds, leaning against the wall with his arms folded as if he were waiting for Vesemir's lesson to end.

Vesemir had his back to Ailin at the moment, carefully inspecting the apprentices' Sign practice.

Hearing Leto's voice, he turned around and asked, "Ailin, why are you back?"

"Alchemy class ended, so I came straight over. Is class not over yet?"

Vesemir looked up at the sky upon hearing that and realized it was already getting late, so he said to the apprentices in the training grounds:

"That's enough for today. Huus, when you have time, you should practice more. Your progress is the slowest."

"The rest of you are the same. We'll learn the Alde Sign the day after tomorrow. Do not expect me to slow down the pace for anyone."

Vesemir seemed to feel that his words had been a little harsh, so he added:

"If you do not understand something, you can ask Ailin when he has time. His Quen Sign is very standard."

"Of course... if he is willing..."

Ailin sensed that all the apprentices were looking at him and agreed:

"Of course. If you have any questions, come ask me directly. I'd be happy to explain."

Vesemir nodded in satisfaction, glanced at the waterskin in the apprentice's hand, and said:

"Ailin, drink your lunch here."

"Since your alchemy class is over today, we'll set out directly in a moment."

Ailin nodded and was about to open the waterskin containing his lunch when he suddenly heard Leto's voice.

"Wait," Leto said, giving Ailin a puzzled look before asking Vesemir, "What did all that mean? I know every word, but when they're put together, I don't understand any of it."

Vesemir seemed to have expected this. He waved a hand and said:

"It has nothing to do with you. Just follow us when we leave."

Leto: "?"

Since they would be traveling with Leto shortly, Ailin explained, "Master Vesemir promised to take me hunting drowners this afternoon."

Leto scratched his head, still somewhat confused.

"Where did you get the time for that? Aren't apprentices supposed to digest their lunch in the afternoon?"

"What do you think Witcher's Eye is? Ailin digests potions very quickly." Vesemir rebuked him. "You should spend more time reading, Leto."

Raising a hand to block Leto's mountain of questions, Vesemir said, "Ignore him, Ailin. Hurry and finish drinking so we can leave."

"Okay."

Estimating the amount, Ailin pulled out the stopper and gulped down his portion in large mouthfuls.

Then he raised a hand to wipe the corner of his mouth and plugged the wooden stopper back in.

Ailin was about to toss the waterskin to Huus when he looked up and saw the five people in the training grounds staring straight at him.

Gulp.

Ailin swallowed and asked weakly, "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

The five of them spoke in unison, yet they continued staring straight at him.

Ailin: "..."

At that moment, the painful, itchy sensation gradually spread through his entire body.

Ailin hurriedly recited "Witcher's Handbook" in his mind and used the last Drowner Heart Essence Fluid.

The cold liquid flowed down, and a warm current surged upward.

Even without any effect, that sensation was addictive.

Especially after the warm current faded, the swelling sense of power throughout his body made Ailin twitch slightly despite himself.

Not only was all the fatigue from the morning swept away, he even had the urge to punch Vesemir into the ground.

With a thought, he brought up his character panel.

Name: Ailin

Age: 13

Title: Child of Miracle

Monster Hunting Level: 3

Health: 100% Stamina: 80/80

Attributes: Strength 6.1 (+0.3), Agility 6.2 (+0.3), Constitution 8 (+0.9), Perception 8.9 (+0.5), Mystery 4.3 (+0.4)

Special Skill: Monster Hunting LV1, Appraisal LV1

Skills: School of the Wolf Two-Handed Sword LV2 (0/500), Quen LV1 (0/100)

Formula: Killer Whale (Unavailable)

Items: 3 Rotten Flesh, 23 Lesser Experience Orbs, "Twenty-Three Ways to Cook Drowners"

Evaluation: Trash!!

The improvement in his stats let his inflated mindset seize the high ground in Ailin's mind.

But his reason fired an Appraisal at Vesemir.

Name: Vesemir

Attributes: Strength 46, Agility 57, Constitution 65, Perception 70, Mystery 41

All right.

He had calmed down.

The enormous gap instantly extinguished the volcano in Ailin's heart just as it was forming.

Putting away the panel, Ailin looked up.

The apprentice training grounds were exceptionally quiet at that moment. The people standing opposite Ailin were all motionless, like statues.

Just as Ailin was considering what he should say, Vesemir spoke.

He asked uncertainly:

"Um... Ailin, are you finished?"

New author, new book! Please keep reading, comment, and add it to your collection!