Time flies, Yavi's life in Aretuza Academy of Sorcery has slipped by quietly for several months. He has long been accustomed to everything here: soft and comfortable robes have replaced the worn leather armor, the air is no longer filled with blood and sword oil, but the smell of ancient parchment scrolls and the glimmer of magic dust; regular study has replaced sleeping and sleeping in the open air, and he has benefited a lot from the strong atmosphere of knowledge-seeking in the academy.
The life here is indeed comfortable and comfortable, and the learning environment is perfect. However, in the dead of night, an indescribable nostalgia will always quietly emerge. The cold touch of the sword seems to still be on the fingertips, and the sonorous sound of the fierce collision of metal seems to be heard in his ears. He misses that This kind of clear and real feedback is transmitted from the hilt to the arm when the blade cuts into the monster's carapace or flesh; I even miss the sweat soaked in the old leather armor, mixed with the unique and familiar sword oil smell of maintaining the weapon - that is the rough and real smell that belongs to the path of the demon hunter.
This nostalgia brings about a deeper confusion: Who am I? A warlock apprentice who is learning? Or a witcher who has lost his fortress?
What does it mean to choose the path of a warlock? Yavi knows it all too well. It will inevitably involve him in the center of the whirlpool of power struggle and politics. Black Mamba's unforgettable calculation has given him his first taste of the horror and insidiousness of political struggle. Peter's words are like a warning bell, often echoing in his ears. "How can you contend with those monsters that have lived for hundreds of years in your life in your twenties?" Those old monsters are as small as dust in the face of the huge resources that can be mobilized, the machinations that have been immersed in the long years, and the unfathomable experience accumulated. Deep in his heart, he is full of rejection and fatigue towards the intrigues that he will inevitably face on this road.
So, what about regaining the witcher's silver sword? As soon as this idea arose, it was shattered by the cold reality. The fortresses of Kaer Morhen--School of the Wolf, the last home in the heart of the witcher, have been reduced to ruins. Even the option of "going back" no longer exists. This road is also cruelly blocked.
Both roads seem to be full of thorns, with no clear end in sight. This huge confusion about identity and future is so heavy that it is suffocating.
In the end, Yavi chose an almost instinctive way of coping: not to think deeply. Temporarily put aside those entanglements about identity and worries about the future. No matter how much you think about it, you can't change anything at this moment.
"Take it one step at a time." He said to himself. The most realistic goal at the moment is to concentrate on becoming a truly qualified sorcerer. Master the knowledge taught by the academy, successfully complete his studies, and get the badge that symbolizes graduation. This is the foundation and the power that must be held in his hands no matter where he goes in the future. As for whether he will be involved in the torrent of politics or wield the sword in a new way in a certain corner, it is a matter of the future. Now, what he needs is to focus on the present and complete the practice that must be completed in front of him.
After several months of systematic practice and hard training at Academy of Sorcerers, Yavi's Talisman System has ushered in significant evolution. Not only has the original Talisman power been improved, but the infiltration of magical knowledge has also unlocked several new Talisman powers. At this moment, he is looking at this growing list of powers:
Basic Dragon Talisman: The effect of fire magic is increased by 100%. Unlock the primary level Dragon Language Magic[Dragon Shout]: Release a powerful shock wave in a cone-shaped area in front, with both physical impact and mental deterrence effect.
Basic Snake Talisman: Gives itself a stealth state that is invisible to the naked eye.
Basic Chicken Talisman: Gain the ability to float and become immune to damage caused by falling from high altitudes.
Basic Pig Talisman: Both eyes can release fire-attribute magic laser rays (augmented by Dragon Talisman).
Advanced Tiger Talisman: The power of balance is enhanced. When severely injured in battle, the upper limit of life can be temporarily reduced to quickly recover combat effectiveness, delaying the damage effect until the end of the battle; and unlocking 9x9 unit storage space.
Intermediate Ox Talisman: Strength increases by 100% (passive). It can be actively activated. After activation, the strength increases to three times and lasts until the end of the battle. The cooling time is double the activation time (passive invalidation during the cooling period).
Intermediate Rabbit Talisman: The speed is increased by 100% (passive). It can be actively activated. After activation, the speed is increased to three times, which lasts until the end of the battle. The cooling time is double the activation time (passive is invalid during the cooling period).
Intermediate Horse Talisman: The life recovery speed is increased by 200%, and the magic recovery efficiency is increased by 100%. Newly added active release ability can heal injuries.
Yavi looked at the list of powers with a trace of satisfaction in his eyes. He had already looked for an opportunity to test their power.
Dragon Talisman's performance is the most eye-catching. The [Dragon Shout] it comes with, both in terms of impact strength and shocking power, far exceeds the Witcher Signs "Aard" he was used to.
The power of Pig Talisman's laser rays with the blessing of Dragon Talisman is terrifying, and it can be called a killer weapon. However, it comes at a huge cost - even if it uses all its magic power, it can only last for less than five seconds. But Yavi knows its strategic value: if it can be taken by surprise, it is possible to instantly kill powerful enemies at the warlock level.
Snake Talisman, on the other hand, seems mediocre. Its invisibility effect only works on the visual level, and it is easily seen through warlocks or extraordinary beings with magic perception capabilities. Yavi hopes that future upgrades will give it the ability to resist magic detection.
Ox Talisman and Rabbit Talisman are pure body function amplifiers, simple and crude, with intuitive effects.
Horse Talisman's new healing ability has not yet been tested in actual combat, but with its powerful recovery passive, the effect should be good.
Chicken Talisman's floating ability is quite convenient when on the road, but in the ever-changing battle, Yavi has not yet been able to use it flexibly and needs more practice and adaptation.
After Tiger Talisman is promoted to the advanced level, its new mechanism of "temporarily lowering the upper limit in exchange for rapid recovery" can be called the core guarantee for a protracted war. It can ensure that Yavi always maintains a high combat status in fierce battles, which is of great strategic significance.
Feeling the increasing power of Talisman circulating in his body, the uneasiness caused by the confusion of identity and the gap in power was finally replaced by a heavy sense of confidence. These powers are his solid reliance to gain a foothold in this magic temple and even face the unknown future.
It was another sweat-soaked afternoon. After the almost torturous swordsmanship training with Vilgefortz, Yavi dragged his tired but fulfilled body and prepared to leave the deep underground training ground and go to the cafeteria to comfort his hungry stomach. Just when he was about to step into the main passage leading to the upper level, his ears suddenly moved.
A trace of abnormal sound, extremely weak, mixed with the residual energy buzz of the training ground and his own heavy breathing, came from the end of a remote passage on the right side - the dull impact of a struggle, the dull sound of the body hitting the stone wall, and the suppressed but full of violent yelling.
If his keen Witcher Senses had not been turned on during the high-intensity practical training just now, it would not have been completely turned off at this moment, otherwise this slight movement would have been swallowed up by the thick dead silence of the underground rock formations.
Curiosity instantly overcame the exhaustion of the body and the hunger in the belly. Who was causing the conflict in this remote corner far away from the main teaching area?
Yavi's eyes condensed, and his feet changed direction silently. Like a ghost blending into the shadows, he minimized his own presence, held his breath, and quietly sneaked into the depths of the passage, following the increasingly clear sounds of fighting and cursing.