The School of the Cat Has Arrived!

My favorite book?

Ailin paused for a moment, then noticed Robin's ambiguous gaze.

A unique book with a sheepskin cover suddenly came to mind—"The Witcher Master and the Nighon's One Thousand and One Nights".

His face flushed red instantly!

Fortunately, he was standing at the very front, so no one else noticed the change in his skin color.

Don't slander me!

When have I ever liked that kind of book?!

You clearly forced that on me before you left!

Ailin made a loud, insane argument in his mind.

However, he was met with puzzled and curious glances from the other witchers behind him.

He barely managed to maintain his composure, nodded expressionlessly, and spoke very quickly:

"Don't worry, Robin!"

"We will definitely win!"

Seeing that Ailin was full of confidence because of his promise, and even seemed impatient for tomorrow's match, Robin showed a look of satisfaction, as if they were kindred spirits:

"As expected of my best friend, you really do love great works of art, just like me..."

"I'll have to pick them out carefully when I get back!"

After Robin had walked away, Huus approached and asked curiously:

"Ailin, what's your favorite book?"

Before Ailin could even offer a perfunctory reply, Fred confidently answered on his behalf:

"No need to ask, it must be a book about alchemy and magic!"

"Otherwise, how could they have created so many potions and magical items?"

Huus nodded in sudden realization.

Ailin's lips twitched slightly; he neither refuted nor admitted it.

As Vesemir gazed at Robin's retreating figure in the distance, he sighed with emotion:

"You two have such a good relationship!"

"They've come to deliver messages and books..."

"A book about alchemy must be very valuable!"

"Hmm... it must be... very expensive..."

Ailin gave a muffled hum, glanced at the sky, and changed the subject:

"Master Vesemir, it's already noon, let's eat quickly!"

When they left the Hundred Fruit Garden, the hotel owner gave them a large basket of creamy white bread.

Other villagers who had received help also sent several packets of dried fruit and dried meat.

That's enough for several people to eat for two or three days.

"Ding ding~"

A simple lunch solution.

The five witchers, including Ailin and Vesemir, each took out four vials of Ghoul Heart Essence Fluid from their respective reagent bags.

This was taken from the Witcher's Handbook four days ago by Ailin, who pretended to come up with a new potion recipe and hid in his room for a long time.

He drank the Essence Fluid in one gulp.

A tingling, warm sensation gradually spread from the stomach to every part of the body.

Although it felt good, the power did not increase after mentally opening the Witcher's Handbook.

"The maximum amount of Ghoul Heart Essence Fluid is twenty portions, which increases the strength attribute by five points?"

Ailin understood.

Use the Identify skill to view the panels of several other Witcher characters.

[Name: Huus]

Loyalty: 100

[Attributes: Strength 13 (+5), Agility 8.4, Constitution 12, Perception 8.9, Mysticism 4.6]

The stats of the other young Witcher were similar to Huus's.

The nearly 50% increase in power is enough to offset five years of growth for the School of the Cat Witcher.

In addition, there's the School of the Wolf Two-Handed Sword at level 3, and all the signs at level 2.

This is the source of Ailin and Vesemir's confidence in participating even after they knew the School of the Cat Witchers were cheating.

Vesemir looked at the empty glass bottle and clicked his tongue in amazement:

"These potions Ailin concocted are truly amazing!"

Although...

This was the fifth time he had consumed the Ghoul's Heart Essence Fluid.

But the sense of fulfillment that comes with increased power is exhilarating and intoxicating every time.

He never dared to dream of becoming stronger just by taking medicine.

Even with the precedent of the Drowner Heart Essence Fluid, he never imagined that the hearts of the hideous, ubiquitous Ghoul could have such an effect.

but...

The Drowner Heart Essence Fluid...

Ghoul Heart Essence Fluid...

Vesemir pondered for a moment, then looked at Ailin and asked:

"Can the hearts of all monsters be made into this kind of potion to enhance strength?"

"I'm not sure, but I think most of them should be fine," Ailin replied vaguely.

This serves as a foundation for the future Monster Heart series of potions from Ailin.

Vesemir nodded slightly.

He glanced at the young witchers, who were immersed in the joy of their increased power, and was about to tell them to get up and practice their swordsmanship to adapt to their sudden increase in strength.

At this moment.

A somewhat familiar male voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"This... is where we'll be staying for today. You'll be on the third floor, School of the Wolf will be on the second floor..."

The Witcher of the School of the Cat has arrived!

Vesemir and Ailin exchanged a glance, their expressions solemn.

"The Witchers from the School of the Wolf have arrived?" a deep male voice asked.

"They arrived this morning."

"Thump!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the heavy footsteps stopped abruptly on this floor.

About two seconds later, the deep male voice rang out:

"I am Guksat, the leader of the School of the Cat in this tournament..."

"Friends of the School of the Wolf, won't you come out and meet me?"

The resounding voice echoed in the tower of Alzure.

Upon hearing this, Vesemir's brows furrowed even more.

He certainly didn't want to see these School of the Cat witchers, the scum who tarnished the reputation of witchers.

Moreover, they had once disguised themselves as assassins and launched a surprise attack, attempting to kill his apprentices.

Unfortunately, in order to maintain the prestige and reputation of his school of thought, he couldn't be so willful.

"Damn wizard, this is clearly a ploy to incite conflict between them!"

After cursing under his breath, Vesemir led the young witcher out of the room and said coldly:

"I don't recall ever having friends like you?"

Ailin followed and walked out, looking towards the stairs.

A male wizard dressed in a black robe was leaning against the wall, watching this scene with a smile.

His face was full of schadenfreude.

Arryn knows this Ailin.

He was Farouk, who had come to Kaer Morhen a few months earlier with ill intentions to deliver a message to King Haxor.

Standing beside him were several witchers with gloomy expressions, wearing light leather armor and carrying two swords.

Unlike the diverse eye colors of the School of the Wolf, the School of the Cat, due to the incomplete mutated formula, all seem to have the same murky yellow eye color.

It's very uncomfortable to look at.

What's even more disturbing is their indifferent and lifeless gaze.

It was as if, in their eyes, Ailin, Huus, Bont, and Fred were already corpses.

Guksat clearly didn't take Vesemir's taunts to heart.

He frowned, glanced at the figures around Vesemir, and, finding only a few young witchers, asked with some disappointment:

"Why not invite another Witcher Master to come out and meet us as well? I have admired him for a long time."

Another Witcher Master?

Vesemir was taken aback.

How could they know Ailin's identity? Didn't the Chief notify them?

Etc!

Ailin was standing right next to me.

If he really knew Ailin's identity, he wouldn't have asked that question.

so...

Vesemir stared intently at Guksat's features, and indeed, he looked remarkably similar to the School of the Cat Witcher who had held him back that day.

"You're the Witcher who ambushed us that day!"

This is a statement, not a question.

But the School of the Cat witcher opposite him chuckled.

There was neither denial nor admission.

That kind of thing can be done, and it won't matter even if the victim finds out, but it certainly can't be admitted by the person in question.

Especially considering that the commission had completely failed.

"It seems the time isn't right yet. I hope I'll have the chance to see him in the future."

After saying that.

Guksat led a few cold-faced, somewhat arrogant School of the Cat witchers up to the third floor.

Vesemir didn't say much.

My gaze followed the witchers upwards until they all disappeared from sight.

"Hey!"

Farouk, leaning against the wall, sighed.

It seems they felt very sorry that the two schools of thought didn't fight here.

He stood up, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the several witchers, and was about to follow the School of the Cat.

Suddenly I noticed a familiar face:

"Are you Ailin?" he asked.

Although two or three months have passed.

but.

Whether it's the Witcher who only knows how to swing his sword suddenly learning alchemy, or the Bloody Red Fox Professor Vesemir taking on a Witcher as an apprentice.

Both of these events were extremely memorable.

Moreover, they're combined.

Therefore, Farouk was impressed by Ailin and recognized him after just a couple of glances.

"Ailin?"

Guksat's voice suddenly came from the third floor.

"Thump~ thump~ thump~"

Amidst hurried footsteps, Guksat's murky, dark yellow Cat Eyes reappeared on the second floor of the Alzur's Tower.

"Which one is Ailin?"

Farouk paused for a moment, then pointed in the direction of the young witcher from the School of the Wolf:

"The boy with the beautiful blue eyes next to Master Vesemir is him."

"He is Lady Vesemir the Crimson Fox's only witcher alchemy apprentice..."

"What, Guksat, you've heard of him too?"

Not Witcher Master?

Guksat's pupils contracted slightly as he stared at the young witcher being protected by Vesemir.

but...

The alchemy apprentice of the Crimson Fox...

Perhaps Brett and Fredika died because of magical artifacts?

That's not right either!

Brett and Fredika both carried the School Emblem; even with powerful magical artifacts, the insignia would at least allow them to escape...

Countless speculations and guesses arose and disappeared in Guksat's mind.

He couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he tried.

How did a witcher apprentice who looked only thirteen or fourteen years old manage to kill Brett and Fredika?

The most likely candidate is the group of witchers from the School of the Wolf.

Besides Vesemir, there is another master hidden away.

Guksat was eager to ask about the details of the assassination.

However, he knew very well that Vesemir would not tell them the truth, and that doing so would only leave them with a handle against him.

so.

Guksat stared intently at Ailin for a moment, then looked at Farouk and nodded.

"I've heard of this name before..."

"And it left a deep impression!"

Then, ignoring Farouk's response, he turned and walked back to the third floor.

Farouk didn't mind, and after pondering for a few seconds, he smiled at Ailin and was about to speak.

Sudden.

"Bang!"

A familiar explosion.

"Ah! What is this? Poison?"

"How could there be a magic trap? It must be those hypocritical 'School of the Wolf' bastards downstairs..."

"Calm down! These are just some simple magic tricks..."

Guksat hadn't finished speaking.

"Puff--"

A series of indecent noises interrupted him.

Vesemir and Ailin exchanged glances, silently perking up their ears.

"Serves you right!"

Fred laughed gleefully.

Since the appearance of the School of the Cat Witchers, Bont's tightly clenched fist loosened.

He could never forget what Fredika had done that day.

As a result, he had a particular aversion to all School of the Cat witchers.

"We'll have our chance for revenge!" Huus patted Bont on the shoulder, gently comforting him. "Tomorrow, with our own swords!"

"It seems my distinguished guests need some help..."

Farouk chuckled softly, saying this, but he wasn't in a hurry to go upstairs.

He glanced in the direction of the School of the Wolf Witchers and bowed slightly:

"Ailin, please give my regards to Lady Vesemir. Our Ben Ade has always admired her achievements in the field of alchemy."

"I will."

Farouk smiled and nodded before slowly walking up the steps toward the chaotic third floor.

"Is this how you, Ban Ad, treat your guests?"

Guksat's angry roar came from the stairwell.

"Relax, relax... it's just kids joking around..."

Farouk's explanation was completely insincere.

at the same time.

Outside the Tower of Alzure, the sound of vulgar children's laughter could also be heard:

"The Witcher pooped his pants, the Witcher pooped his pants..."

Obviously.

Ben Ade's Sorcerer Apprentice made no distinction between the School of the Cat and the School of the Wolf.

However, among the Witchers of the School of the Wolf...

Fred muttered, "He's a Witcher from the School of the Cat, not the School of the Wolf."

The others, who were enjoying the sight of their opponents in disarray, generously let the ill-tempered Sorcerer Apprentice go.

certainly.

This is an act of adding fuel to the fire.

The people who were pranked certainly weren't in as good a mood as Ailin and the others.

"I'm going to kill them!"

It was unclear which School of the Cat witcher roared, but it seemed he was about to leap down and teach those Sorcerer Apprentice a lesson.

Upon hearing this, the members of the School of the Wolf excitedly crowded to the window and looked outside.

But the next moment, to my disappointment, I heard Guksat shout:

"Get back here! Haven't you embarrassed yourselves enough?"

Seeing that things were going badly, the masked wizard apprentices downstairs laughed loudly and ran away.

Only a few witchers from the School of the Cat remained upstairs, writhing in impotent rage and cursing fiercely for a long time before finally stopping.

to be honest.

This was the first time Ailin had ever heard so many swear words.

I really learned a lot.

Nothing else unexpected happened.

Although Ban Ade Academy had provided each of them with a room, given the precedent of the School of the Cat's sneak attack, the School of the Wolf's witchers naturally couldn't sleep separately.

He randomly picked an empty room and sat cross-legged on the floor.

Ailin took a deep breath, watched as his companions around him closed their eyes, and then he closed his eyes as well.

He knew.

When they opened their eyes again...

The wolf-cat duel that would determine the fate of any school of thought!