Night fell, and the wind gusted.
The surrounding pines rustled softly and pleasantly, their branches creaking.
Beside the Circle of Elements, Vesemir's gray hair swayed in the wind. His silver-studded gloves held five wolf-head medallions, which he placed on the platform one by one.
Then he took thin black cords from inside his clothes. Despite his thick fingers, his hands were very nimble. He quickly threaded the cords through the small holes at the tops of the medallions, tied knots, and laid them out neatly.
He stepped back, swept his gaze over the magnificent sweep of the Blue Mountains before him, then raised his right hand and cast the Igni Sign.
The bonfires set at the four corners ignited in succession.
A cold wind suddenly rose. The orange-red flames flickered ceaselessly, casting Vesemir's shadow askew.
Vesemir stepped back to the others. "All right, the Circle of Elements is active. We only need to wait a little while for the medallions to finish charging."
"How are you all feeling?"
"Wonderful, Master Vesemir," Horton said with a smile.
He exchanged glances with Paul and Winston, all three barely able to hide their excitement.
Aiken's green cat eyes shone as well, his upper body wrapped in bandages.
"Heh..." Vesemir chuckled and silently shook his head. "Arwen, what about you? You should be able to feel it."
Arwen narrowed his eyes. Indeed, he sensed a powerful surge of energy sweeping in from every direction between heaven and earth.
Four different symbols were carved into the stone pedestals holding the bonfires.
They represented water, earth, air, and fire.
"It's chaos energy."
Vesemir nodded. "That's right. Magic is everywhere in this world. Some places simply have more of it than others."
"And the Circle of Elements is one of the most powerful points of convergence for magic."
"When the magic in your bodies runs dry and you can't meditate, you can find a point of convergence to replenish it."
Everyone looked thoughtful. Arwen rubbed his palm and asked, "Master Vesemir, how do we find these points of convergence?"
"Yes, how do we find them? We can't feel anything at all." Paul and the others looked puzzled as well.
Vesemir glanced at Eskel, who was leaning against the wall. The latter gave a dry cough. "The simplest method is to rely on your medallion. If it vibrates rapidly, that proves there's powerful magic nearby. Of course, it could also be a powerful monster or a spell."
"But there's another little trick: look for cats nearby. Cats are very sensitive to points of convergence. They often sleep or wander around them."
Arwen was surprised. He had known little about this, but it would be very helpful for his dual cultivation.
"Are there any other animals that can identify points of convergence?"
"Yes." Vesemir's cat pupils contracted, a mocking, cold smile on his lips. "But I hope you never encounter them. Besides cats, dragons are sensitive to points of convergence."
Arwen and the others drew a breath.
Dragons-those were creatures from legends and stories.
"Bzz, bzz, bzz..."
On the platform of the Circle of Elements, the five wolf-head medallions began trembling violently, buzzing constantly, just like those on Vesemir's and Eskel's chests.
Vesemir looked up and clapped his hands. "Boys, get ready. The final ceremony is about to begin."
Arwen and the other four grew solemn. Even Eskel straightened, his expression grave.
Vesemir picked up the five wolf-head medallions and paused slightly, memories flashing through his cat eyes.
Then he turned his back and signaled to them with a glance.
The five knelt on one knee and bowed their heads, looking very much like knights about to receive their titles.
This tradition was said to have been left by Alzur, the founder of the witchers, who revered chivalry.
Vesemir's hobnailed boots struck the marble steps heavily, making crisp clicking sounds.
He first walked over to Paul and gently hung a medallion around his neck, his voice solemn and low.
"From today onward, you will be a solitary hunter, walking alone through the wilderness and mountains."
Winston was next. "This medallion is not a reward, but a warning. It warns the world that you will remain neutral and belong to no side."
Then came Horton. "From today onward, you will carry a silver sword on your back. You must remember and strictly abide by the witchers' code."
Then Aiken. "Your cat eyes will inspire fear. But when you wield your silver sword, it is not to prove that fear justified, but to protect humanity and the innocent who are about to perish in the jaws of monsters."
Finally, Vesemir came before Arwen.
"When ignorant villagers attack you with stones, you must learn to protect yourself."
"When lords withhold your pay and send their men or drunkards to stab you, you must understand that the steel sword in your hand is where their fate lies."
His broad palm patted Arwen's shoulder. Arwen looked at the wolf-head medallion on his chest. Its scarlet eyes, flickering constantly, were staring at him.
Vesemir walked to stand directly before the five and spoke in a ringing voice.
"In accordance with the witchers' code, you have successfully passed the final Trial of the Mountains and are awarded witcher medallions."
"Raise your heads, all of you, in the name of the witcher."
Arwen slowly raised his head. Beneath his black fringe, his gray slit pupils reflected the orange-red flames.
The system panel quietly changed as well.
[Name: Arwin Thyssen] [Age: 16] [Class: Witcher apprentice → Witcher]
I passed. After two years, I did it!
Arwen's chest rose and fell slightly, his heart surging.
The other four could barely conceal their excitement either. Paul even let out a long breath, feeling as though he had survived a disaster.
A softness flickered through Vesemir's amber cat eyes. "I'm proud of what you've achieved today."
"But there's one more step after the ceremony, which also serves as a reward for everything you've been through. While the Circle of Elements is still active, you can meditate here and absorb its energy."
"Remember, this will only last until dawn. It's a rare opportunity. Make the most of it and feel it fully."
Hearing this, the five closed their eyes, shifted from kneeling on one knee to sitting back on their heels, and entered meditation.
Within his sea of consciousness, wisps of blue ripples emerged. They were water elements.
Then scorching red, heavy ocher, and light, transparent specks of air element appeared one after another. Though there were only a scattered few, they were all things he had never sensed before.
It's the remaining elements-fire, earth, and air!
Pleasantly surprised, Arwen immediately calmed his mind and focused, circulating [Basic Meditation] to begin absorbing them.
[Basic Meditation experience +1!]
The moon set and the sun rose. The wolf-head medallion vibrating constantly against the chest of his leather jacket gradually settled.
Arwen exhaled a long plume of white mist and slowly opened his eyes.
The wind brushed over the grass, and every sound of stirring leaves reached his ears clearly.
He took another deep breath, a look of intoxication appearing in his cat eyes.
He had never felt this way before, so clearheaded and refreshed.
[Basic Meditation experience +1!] [Basic Meditation Lv1: 100/100 → Basic Meditation Lv2, talent acquired: Meditation Afterglow]