Can My Apprentice Really Set Me Up Twice?

The apprentices spoke in hushed tones, but Ailin, Vesemir, and Aristo were all Witcher Master, and none of them had a perception attribute below fifty.

Even a flying insect passing by in the sky can be accurately located, let alone the conversation between the apprentices.

Before Ailin could react, Aristo's eyebrows twitched.

Who is stronger, him or Ailin?

To be honest, he was also very curious about this question.

There are many examples within the school of witchers where older witchers are no match for talented newcomers.

But the newcomers in those examples are not young at all.

It's impossible for someone to surpass a Witcher Master within six months of passing the Trial of Grasses.

Furthermore, Aristo was actually aware of Ailin's strength.

His victory in becoming Witcher Master was achieved through a combination of skill and luck.

after all.

If it weren't for the sudden appearance of the King of Ice, it would have been almost impossible for Ailin to kill the Old Spearhead.

Of course, this is not easy either.

At least Aristo, putting himself in Aristotle's shoes, knew he certainly wouldn't have had the courage or ability to do that at thirteen.

Moreover, at that time, Ailin had already created highly practical magical items and potions such as the Drowner Whistle and the Killer Whale.

Therefore, he accepted Ailin's promotion to Witcher Master.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to make a junior officer for a child in that Witcher Company.

However, despite being convinced, Aristo still felt a sense of disorientation when listening to Vesemir's account of the situation.

Greater Griffin, Wraiths, and the Wild Hunt...

Are these monsters really Ailin? Could a Witcher who has only passed the Trial of the Mountains six months ago really handle them?

It's important to understand that even with Aristo's current strength, it would be difficult for him to deal with a Greater Griffin, especially when he was completely unprepared.

Even though Ailin was aided by Vesemir and Mary, that still says something.

Not to mention facing hundreds of demon spirits, he is also said to have hunted a large demon spirit that was even more powerful than Cyclops on his own.

If Aristotle hadn't known Vesemir's character well, and hadn't been familiar with the fact that the nobles of Arland had bestowed upon him the title of Knight Ailin, Aristo would have thought Vesemir was lying.

therefore.

Aristo was indeed very curious about Ailin's strength and how many rounds he could last against him.

certainly.

More importantly,

He had been training children for the first half of the year and hadn't experienced a close battle in a long time.

He was well aware of the strength of Vesemir and the other Witcher Master in Kaer Morhen, and their moves, even with the addition of signs, no longer offered him any novelty.

Judging from Vesemir's description, Ailin seems to be quite strong.

Seeing the prey, they were all eager to fight and could hardly contain their fighting spirit...

but...

"My suggestion might seem like bullying the weak..." Aristo hesitated, "And if things end up ugly, it won't be good for the Monster Hunting Legion's development..."

Although he had a rather irritable and easily angered temper, he was not a reckless man who would just draw his sword and start slashing.

Besides, he's already so old; he still knows how to weigh the pros and cons.

"Maybe I should just forget about it..." he thought to himself.

Just then, Vesemir's urging voice suddenly came to his ears:

"Ailin, would you like to have a match with Aristo?"

Instantly.

The entire castle hall fell silent once again.

The apprentices all looked intently at Ailin, who was sipping the thirty-year- East of the East vintage, hoping he would agree immediately.

Only Aristo turned his head sharply and looked in surprise at Vesemir face was flushed from drinking.

What kind of master would treat their disciple so cruelly?

Whether Ailin was serious or not, losing a contest with him would bring nothing but harm.

As for winning...

He was older than Vesemir and his strength ranked among the top of the Witcher Master.

How could he possibly lose?

"Vesemir, you're drunk!" Aristo's voice rang out in the silent castle hall.

"Are you scared?" Vesemir glanced at him sideways upon hearing this, then looked at Ailin and asked again, "How about it, Ailin?"

Aristo frowned and remained silent.

He couldn't understand why Vesemir, who had just been praising Ailin, would now dig such a deep hole for his apprentice.

Does he really think Ailin can beat him?

Thinking of this, a surge of inexplicable anger welled up in my heart.

He glared at Vesemir, barely suppressing the urge to punch him, knowing there were other apprentices around.

Aristo glanced at the still-youthful Witcher Master had put down his wine glass, pondering how to give Ailin a way out.

I don't know why, but I'm reminded of the stories Vesemir just told me.

He was speechless for a moment.

For a moment, she both hoped he would refuse and longed to accept.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Ailin put down his wine glass and looked at Aristo, his blue Cat Eyes filled with burning fighting spirit.

"If I were to have the honor of learning from Master Aristo..." he said softly, "I would be more than happy to do so!"

"Splash—"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire castle hall seemed to suddenly erupt in a frenzy.

The apprentices erupted in a tremendous uproar, their eyes fixed on their leader... or future leader, their faces beaming with excitement.

"Hahaha~" Vesemir laughed loudly and gulped down the wine in his glass.

"Answer me, Aristo, Are you afraid?" Vesemir shouted.

"Bang!"

The wooden cup slammed heavily onto the oak table.

The crimson liquor splashed from the glass, releasing a rich and intoxicating aroma that was both enchanting and mesmerizing.

"Fear??" A vein throbbed on Aristo's forehead. "When I hunted Royal Wyvern and became Witcher Master, you were still wetting the bed! How dare you say I'm afraid?"

Vesemir looked embarrassed.

It wasn't because Aristo's insults were too harsh, but because what he said was true.

More accurate.

Aristo had even seen the map of the Northern Continent that he drew on his bedsheets in the middle of the night...

The only downside is that it has a long lifespan.

No matter how old you get, there will always be people who remember the embarrassing things you did when you were young.

And from time to time, on certain occasions, it will deliver a heavy blow.

Vesemir squinted and glanced around, pretending to be nonchalant, especially "unintentionally" glancing at Ailin's face, and breathed a sigh of relief.

fortunately.

Despite his rage, Aristo remained rational and did not delve into the details.

Ailin and the other apprentices probably thought he was just hurling insults in the heat of the moment and didn't take it seriously.

In a panic, Vesemir gave a dry laugh and dared not provoke Aristo any further, lowering his head and pretending to be appreciating fine wine.

Anyway, he has already achieved his goal.

"Hmph~" Seeing Vesemir lower his head, Aristo snorted coldly, then suppressed his emotions and looked at Ailin.

Seeking advice...

This excuse isn't bad; it leaves room for maneuver.

"He's a smart kid, and..." Aristo looked into Ailin's warlike eyes, "And he's just as belligerent as I was when I was young..."

Thinking of this.

Aristo couldn't help but glare at Vesemir again, causing him to silently shift his body and lower his head at an even greater angle.

This kind of child is perfect for him to teach!

Does Vesemir, who is seven or eight years old and still wets the bed, deserve such a good traveling apprentice?

"Then let's have a good fight!"

As soon as Aristo finished speaking, the apprentices cheered and jumped up from their seats.

"No bread thrown into the air!" Aristo roared to maintain order. "Anyone who wastes a single drop of stew will be punished by polishing all the steel swords in Kaer Morhen until they shine!"

Only after the deputy commander's roar did the apprentices sit down and eat their bread and stew.

However, even though it was suppressed by the roar.

They didn't settle down immediately; their eyes remained fixed on Ailin, and they excitedly whispered among themselves about Aristo and Ailin...

Which one is stronger!

The apprentices quickly finished their lunch.

As if seeking revenge, Vesemir chugged down all five bottles of East of the East in a mere ten minutes.

If this were in my previous life, drinking so much red wine would have made most ordinary people drunk and unconscious, and those with weaker constitutions might even have been in mortal danger.

But Witchers have a high alcohol tolerance, so they naturally won't have any problems.

Judging from Vesemir's expression, Ailin felt that he was still a bit unsatisfied and wanted to drink five more bottles.

However, East of the East itself does not pose any danger, but it is hard to say about the factors outside of East of the East.

Aristo's fists, resting on the oak table, were clenched tightly, veins bulging.

Its two dark golden Cat Eyes glared angrily.

Ailin almost thought that before his battle with Aristo, Vesemir would first fight his opponent to the death.

After lunch, leaving the castle hall, Ailin, Aristo, and Vesemir, surrounded by the shouting apprentices, arrived at the apprentice training grounds.

That's right.

This is the place where Vesemir gave them a practical lesson in killing water ghosts, the place where the Witcher's Handbook was activated, and also the place where Vesemir lost to Elsa...

Ailin was deeply moved to return to this place and duel Aristo once again.

certainly.

Vesemir's feelings were clearly no less than Ailin's.

This can be seen from his gaze that occasionally wanders behind Ailin.

However, on the other hand...

The Gilna Silver Sword that Vesemir is currently using, which has slain a red dragon, a green dragon, and more than a dozen high-ranking vampires, is clearly more valuable Elsa's.

therefore.

He never again expressed any intention to redeem Elsa from her servitude.

But this sword clearly holds a different meaning for Vesemir, especially since it has come to a place of great significance to both of them, and a duel is even on the horizon...

Then Vesemir suddenly had an idea, turned his head to look at Aristo, and said with great interest:

"Aristo, how about we make a bet?"

Aristo glanced sideways at Vesemir, whose face was flushed red after he had swindled him out of several bottles of East of the East:

"What mischief are you up to now?"

Vesemir laughed heartily a few times and said:

"You just lost, right? Here's your chance to win it back..."

"I didn't lose just now," Aristo interrupted impatiently. "Those five bottles of wine were a reward for your good story."

"Pretty much," Vesemir said, not caring that he was being interrupted, and pulled down the brim of his Black Wide-brimmed Hat. "In your duel with Ailin, if you win, I'll give you back five bottles as usual; otherwise, you give me back five bottles."

Aristo raised an eyebrow and glanced at Ailin.

"Is he trying to bribe me because he's worried I'll reveal all his embarrassing secrets?" he thought to himself.

"Sure!" he said without hesitation, without adding any conditions for the duel.

Obviously.

Whether it was a simple sword duel or an unrestricted duel that was closer to real combat, he didn't think he would lose.

Seeing this, Vesemir's lips curled into a smile.

Just as he expected, Aristo was incredibly arrogant.

Vesemir admitted that he could not defeat Aristo, who had previously lost to Ailin, and that he certainly could not defeat him in terms of swordsmanship and signs alone.

But Ailin has magic potions.

He still remembers the scene in the library of the Temple of Melitele where Ailin drank the red and blue potions.

There was simply no time to react.

In a daze, the wooden stick in my hand was knocked away.

He didn't think Aristo was capable of withstanding such an attack, even though Aristo was much stronger than him.

This has almost nothing to do with an individual's swordsmanship or strength; it's a power from another unknown level.

certainly.

Vesemir didn't propose this duel for a few bottles of wine; it was just something he came up with on the spur of the moment after arriving in this familiar place.

It's just a minor detail.

More importantly...

A team can only have one leader.

Even if Aristo himself had no intention of seizing power within the Witcher Company, his presence as Witcher Master with far more seniority than Ailin was simply too strong.

Moreover, Aristo himself was an upright man, and his character was beyond reproach.

But being short-tempered, irritable, and arrogant, he would never completely obey Ailin's arrangements.

If we don't distinguish between primary and secondary roles beforehand, and let him truly witness Ailin's strength, conflicts will inevitably arise during the next few months of spending time together.

Ultimately, it is estimated that the primary and secondary issues will be resolved through force.

It would be better to do it earlier, which would be better for Ailin, for Aristo himself, and even for the school.

As for whether using Blizzard Potion and Giant Ghoul Decoction would be a bit despicable and shameless, and whether Aristo would be convinced...

A witcher is not a knight after all.

Any means that can "kill" the enemy is a good means, regardless of how despicable they may be.

Even in ordinary duels.

Moreover.

The fact that a potion can create a blizzard is a miracle is also a testament to Ailin's skill.

on the contrary.

In an unrestricted duel, preventing him from using potions would be truly despicable and shameless.

Regarding this point...

Vesemir believed in Aristo's character.

"It's just a pity..." Vesemir glanced at the enthusiastic apprentices around him, a smirk playing on his lips, "Aristo will not only lose face, but also five bottles of East of the East..."

"This is absolutely terrible!"

"But..."

"The School of the Wolf can't be the only Witcher Master who was tricked by Ailin."

Aristo, unaware of Vesemir's inner thoughts, saw that the apprentices were all in position and Ailin was ready, and asked:

"Sword duel or no-holds-barred duel, which would you choose?"

Under Vesemir's expectant gaze, Ailin naturally chose "Unlimited Duel," which made him nod in satisfaction.

But then...

When they saw Ailin remove the reagent pouch from his waist without taking a single bottle of potion...

Vesemir sensed something was wrong.

He watched helplessly as Ailin walked towards the training field.

Staring blankly at the exquisitely carved silver sword scabbard, Vesemir seemed to return to that late autumn when he was lauded to the heavens by everyone...

It seems he's about to be tricked by his apprentice again...