Time to Take Off Your Leather Armor!

The first rays of sunlight in the early morning broke through the misty mountains.

"Bang!"

A strange noise.

An orange-red portal appeared in the camp.

A demon hunter carrying two swords and wearing a Black Wide-brimmed Hat emerged from the portal, carrying a large bag of belongings.

The wizard who "kidnapped" Ban Ade was no small matter.

One wrong move could bring great harm to the school of thought.

So as soon as Vesemir returned to Kaer Morhen, the School Head and several Witcher Master who remained at the fortress rushed over upon hearing the news.

Several Witcher Master surrounded the unconscious sorcerer, engaging in a heated discussion that lasted all night.

But as intense as it may be.

No one was foolish enough to suggest letting Thomas Maurice and Macaque go.

The Witcher Master, who had already learned from the Chief about the unfair experiences of the School of the Wolf Witchers in Ben Ard, knew that it was absolutely impossible to compromise with the Warlocks in order to ensure the survival of the school.

The crux of the heated debate was whether or not to kill them...

Just as Ailin arranged, lock them up somewhere.

The latter is clearly far more risky than the former.

Although Kaer Morhen always keeps a few pieces of Aetherium on hand, which can be used to forge shackles that suppress magic.

But every famous wizard has a unique and unconventional method.

No one could guarantee that with the Aetherium shackles, the two wizards wouldn't be able to escape or spread the news.

The Second Mutation that Ailin wanted to uncover was something no one had ever heard of before, and compared to the risks the school faced, it seemed somewhat unworthy of consideration.

but.

Since Vesemir has returned, it means that everyone has finally reached a consensus.

They agreed to lock up the two male witches first.

This was thanks both to Vesemir's heated debate and to Ailin's outstanding performance in the Apprentice Combat Tournament.

certainly.

The potions and skills created by Ailin, as well as the support of the usually conservative chief, were also the most important factors.

"Ugh~"

Exhausted from not sleeping all night, coupled with the Witcher's unique "portal syndrome," caused Vesemir's vision to go black as soon as he stepped out of the portal.

I couldn't help but bend over and gag slightly.

"If I had known, I should have had Ailin keep watch first last night."

Vesemir thought to himself.

Who would have thought that Lady Vesemir would arrive so quickly...

He sighed softly, straightened up, and immediately saw Ailin was meditating with her eyes closed...

And Mary, fast asleep with her head resting on his shoulder.

The campfire had long since died out, and golden petals were scattered around the two of them.

Against the backdrop of the green oak trees not far away, the two people nestled together looked exceptionally harmonious and natural.

Looking at the scene before him, Vesemir couldn't help but smile.

The discomfort caused by the teleportation has subsided considerably.

"It's so good to be young!" he exclaimed.

Not long after Vesemir returned, Ailin also opened his eyes from his meditation.

Seeing that Vesemir was packing his things, he decided to get up and help.

"Shh~"

Upon noticing this, the Witcher Master gestured for Ailin to sit down and become a proper body pillow.

Feeling the breath on his face, Ailin could only watch helplessly as Vesemir bustled about.

Mary only woke up slowly after Vesemir had packed up all the camping tents and other materials and tied them to his mount.

Ah~

Awakening from a sweet dream, Mary yawned, stretched, and then sleepily opened one eye, asking in surprise:

"When did Master Vesemir return?"

"While you were asleep!" Ailin stood up and stretched.

While asleep?

Mary paused for a second.

She then noticed the water stains on the young witcher's neck, and her pretty face instantly turned bright red.

She quickly pulled out a silk scarf from her person and went over to help Ailin wipe herself.

"I'm... sorry, I accidentally fell asleep..."

"Fine."

Ailin shook his head and said nothing.

This is just a trivial matter.

They've come all this way to help, so what's wrong with them drooling a little?

Besides.

We were rushing along the way, and only wiped ourselves down when we came across a river.

Ailin's clothes weren't very clean either.

It's amazing that Mary was able to fall asleep leaning against him last night.

"Alright, let's get ready to go."

Vesemir brought over Ailin's mare "Carrot" and Bogdan's horse.

"There's plenty of time to flirt along the way!"

Vesemir teased the two young men who were standing close together.

"Master Vesemir!" Mary said reproachfully, blushing.

noon.

Ailin and his two companions finally arrived in Fujian on horseback.

The city is not large, covering an area of only about half that of Ban Ade.

It only takes half an hour to walk from the North Gate to the South Gate.

but.

The architectural style of the Fugen is completely different from that of humans, yet it is more memorable than the pointed towers erected by Ben Ardé.

This is a city carved out of the rock.

The city walls, houses, and streets all look as if they grew out of the mountains.

Rough, bold, savage...

Like the bearded dwarves who kept passing by the three of them.

Yes.

Although this place is located within the human kingdom of Ard, it is actually a settlement of dwarves.

Even the lord here is the only non-human nobleman in Ard —the dwarf baron Horton Quigren.

Haha~

"Long time no see, Master Vesemir!"

The entrance to a stone house, only slightly larger than the other houses around it.

The brown-bearded dwarf, who was almost as tall as Vesemir's chest, laughed heartily and slapped Vesemir hard on the waist.

"It's been a long time, Horton."

Vesemir took off his Black Wide-brimmed Hat, grinned, and nodded at the dwarf.

It's clear they are very good friends.

After a brief greeting, Vesemir turned to the side, revealing Ailin and Mary behind him.

"Who are these two?" Horton asked, puzzled.

"The sorceress Margarita Laux Antille," Vesemir smiled at Mary, "Is the Crimson Fox, an apprentice of Lady Vera, and is now traveling with us."

Mary placed her hands on her abdomen and nodded slightly.

She was unassuming, and it was rare for her to show such a humble and elegant demeanor.

However, anyone could see that she was proud of her status as Vesemir's apprentice.

Upon hearing Lady Vesemir's name, the dwarf Horton immediately straightened up in respect:

"Hello, Ms. Margarita."

"I am Horton Quigley, Lord of Ferggen. It is a pleasure to have you here in Ferggen..."

"Please also convey my respects to Lady Vesemir."

"I will." Mary nodded slightly.

With her big, bright eyes, she glanced smugly at the young witcher beside her.

Even without mind-reading abilities, Ailin understood what she meant.

The words "Margarita" were practically etched onto her forehead.

"Ailin ..." Vesemir patted the young witcher on the shoulder and solemnly introduced him to Horton:

"Witcher Master Ailin has killed five large monsters so far, two of which were hunted independently..."

"Water ghosts, Ghoul, demons... the number of other monsters that have died at his hands is countless..."

The Apprentice Combat Tournament between the School of the Wolf and the School of the Cat has ended.

During the tournament, many wizards witnessed Ailin hunting two large monsters alone.

There's no need to hide it any longer.

When Vesemir left Kaer Morhen this morning, he had already reached a consensus with several Witcher Master.

Starting today.

The School of the Wolf will officially acknowledge Ailin's status Witcher Master.

In the next few days, letters will be sent to other Witcher schools, as well as nobles who are on good terms with the School of the Wolf.

As for their achievements, to avoid trouble, the school deliberately omitted in their letter the fact that Ailin had killed the King of Ice and the Cyclops in Kaer Morhen.

Only those few that Ailin killed in the arena of Ben Ade in front of everyone.

"Witcher Master?"

Horton paused for a moment upon hearing this, and carefully examined the young witcher from head to toe.

However, no matter how he looked at it, he found it unremarkable.

He had neither large muscles nor a long, thick beard.

He's just an ordinary witcher's child.

"Vesemir, are you kidding me?"

"He's just a child. At your age, you witchers have only just passed those trials of killing..."

"We have a good relationship, but this joke isn't funny!"

"You will ruin this child's future!"

Horton frowned, his gruff voice booming like thunder.

The attention of other dwarves, elves, and humans on the street was drawn to it.

"This is no joke, my dwarf brother!"

Vesemir laughed and shook his head:

"Ailin is indeed Witcher Master. You'll know in a few days when the news reaches Fergen."

"But you're right, Ailin is indeed my apprentice."

When did I say that this kid was your apprentice?

Horton scratched his head, puzzled.

But then he noticed the key point in Vesemir's words.

"Information?"

"What news?"

Horton asked curiously.

"News about the Apprentice Combat Tournament the School of the Cat and the School of the Wolf, and..."

Vesemir put on Black Wide-brimmed Hat and his smile vanished:

"News of the king's death..."

Although in addition to dwarves, humans also live in Phrygian.

Nominally, this place is also a vassal state of the human kingdom of Ard.

but.

Of all the carrier pigeons released by the wizards who rushed to deliver the news as soon as those kings died, not one of them was destined for Phogen.

after all.

The dwarves are excellent warriors, their bodies as hard as granite, seemingly naturally shielding them from Chaos Magic.

Those few with Casting Talent obviously wouldn't go to Ban Ad to study.

So when Horton heard about Vesemir, he was a little confused:

"I know about your fighting tournament with the School of the Cat, but what about the death of the king?"

"Is this some new play by Kedwen?"

"These performers are courting death..."

"It's not a play, Horton, it's not a play..." Vesemir interrupted, "The king of Kedwen, the one known as ' The Glutton ' Haxor, is dead!"

"He died in Ban Ade..."

"They died in the stands of the wizards' arena..."

After listening to Vesemir recount the process of the dueling tournament between the School of the Wolf and the School of the Cat, I understood.

The dwarf's eyes widened in disbelief.

A few seconds later.

"That..." Horton exclaimed in surprise, pulling out a tuft of his beard without even noticing, "That's truly unexpected..."

"I never imagined that Haxor, the butcher, would die... in such a way."

Horton's tone was somewhat complicated.

Haxor despises and hates people from other races.

Although his primary targets were elves, Horton also had many dwarf and gnome friends who died under Haxor's tyranny.

After a long while, Horton came to his senses and looked at Vesemir seriously:

"Thank you, Vesemir."

"This news is very important to me!"

After Haxor's death.

Before the new king ascends the throne, Kedwen will be under martial law for a long time, and the relationship between the nobles and the wizards will become very delicate.

As the master of Fugen, knowing this news sooner would have saved his people from many losses.

They might even make a fortune.

"Horton, we are friends!" Vesemir shook his head gently.

"Indeed, we are friends."

The dwarf nodded seriously, then looked at Ailin:

"Let's see what my friend can do for the newly appointed Witcher Master."

"Please come in, distinguished guests, and make yourselves at home."

Upon entering the stone house, one is immediately struck by all sorts of armor and weapons.

A chilling aura emanated from them, their cold light radiating outwards.

The temperature inside the room seemed several degrees colder than outside.

Seeing that Ailin and Mary were very curious, Vesemir explained:

"Horton Qui-Gon, the most outstanding blacksmith outside the Mahakam Mountains..."

Mahakam is a dwarf kingdom located between Temeria and Ard.

Mahakam was nominally a vassal state of Temeria.

However, due to its strategic location and the world's reliance on its metal products, it has maintained relative political and cultural independence.

Not only does it produce some of the world's best iron ore, but the dwarven artisans living in Mahakam are also renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship.

"In fact, even in Mahakam, apart from those old men of the elders, there are few dwarves whose skills can match mine."

"I swear on my beard!"

Horton stroked his long beard and added bluntly.

Vesemir shrugged and said noncommittally:

"King Ard granted him the title of baron and gave him the Phrygian mine as his territory precisely because of Horton's craftsmanship..."

Horton added again:

"Actually, it was that despicable and shameless bastard Demavend II who lured me here with his cunning schemes."

"He had someone steal my most beloved hammer, and while I was looking for the hammer, he also stole my boiler and felt..."

"I had no choice but to agree to that rogue king's request..."

Ailin and Mary exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing this.

The young witcher had a lot to complain about, but didn't know where to begin.

but...

Master foundry...

Ailin's eyes gradually brightened.

really...

Vesemir took a piece of parchment from his leather armor and handed it to the dwarf.

Then he turned to look at his apprentice and smiled:

"Ailin, it's time to change out of that outdated leather armor!"