The surprises didn't end there. Aldric's collection of skills had finally expanded again—this time, completing the missing pieces of the Witcher's Signs he'd been studying.
"Through Witcher Gonz's demonstration, you have learned the Sign: Quen. When used in battle, Quen grants you a shield that absorbs all incoming damage for a short period of time."
"Quen Sign: Creates a spherical barrier centered on the caster, enveloping the user completely. It functions similarly to a mage's protective spell, Arcane Shield. The shield's strength scales with your Intelligence attribute, while its duration is determined by your Charisma attribute."
"Through Witcher Gonz's explanations, and your own unique insight, you have learned the Sign: Axii. When used in combat, Axii produces a charm effect that confuses or bewilders enemies."
"Axii Sign: Charms and influences others. Though not as powerful as the spell Charm Person, when combined with skillful speech and subtle persuasion, its effects can have far deeper, long-lasting psychological influence. Its effectiveness is determined by whichever is higher, Intelligence or Charisma.
Unlike the mages' crude domination spells, every witcher who masters Axii becomes a true manipulator of the human heart. However, due to several disastrous incidents in the past, the Witcher Council is still debating whether this Sign should continue to be passed down to new apprentices."
Finally, a small, almost dismissible notification appeared:
"You have obtained partial knowledge of the potion formula: [Tranquil Thought]. With only this fragment of information, the potion you brew may cause… intestinal distress."
Aside from that last disappointing note, the night's gains were impressive—three new skills in a single evening, plus various minor boosts to his fundamentals. His teacher truly embodied the spirit of cram-style education.
Terry, his follower, carefully placed down the pair of polished leather boots and spoke timidly, "Lord Gonz instructed that once you wake up, you should go find him at the Boar's Head Tavern."
The boy hesitated, stealing a few glances at Aldric before finally gathering the courage to speak. "Master… do you really think I can become a transcendent one day? I—I don't feel extraordinary at all. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it. I know Lord Gonz said those things to motivate me, but… I'm scared I'll disappoint the old captain."
Aldric looked at the boy, no matter how mature Terry tried to appear, he was still just sixteen, struggling with insecurity and doubt. With a reassuring tone, Aldric said, "Terry, look at me. The reason I accepted you as my follower is because I saw potential in you. You have a limitless future ahead of you. As long as you're given the right chance, you will succeed."
He reached into his pouch and took out a handful of gold coins.
"You know, the old captain assigned you to follow me because he believed I could give you that chance. Take this money. Go into the city and find a teacher. I want you to learn—math, drawing, anything you can. If you run out of money, come to me again. For now, your only task is to study hard. When I give you the opportunity in the future, you must seize it with everything you've got. Understand?"
Terry clutched the coins, nodding uncertainly. He couldn't tell if his master truly believed in his potential, or was just trying to comfort him. But after a brief silence, he straightened up and walked toward the door. "Don't worry, Master! I'll do my best!"
People need confidence, Aldric thought as he watched the boy leave. If you never push yourself to the limit, how will you ever know what you're capable of?
Recalling Terry's rare talent as a follower, Aldric left the room to meet his teacher.
At the Boar's Head Tavern, several empty bottles of rum sat scattered across the table. In this bustling port city, rum was the sailors' drink of choice and clearly, Gonz had indulged.
When he saw his apprentice enter, the witcher waved him over. "Aldric, I'll be leaving for Kaer Morhen in three days. Before I go, I intend to teach you as much of the witcher's craft as I can."
"Normally, a witcher apprentice takes thirty to fifty years to complete their training," Gonz continued, his tone serious. "Even with your remarkable talent, it would still take at least a decade to truly master our path. We're not just sword-swinging brutes. Witchers rely on careful planning and experience above all else. Once I settle matters there, I'll return and continue your lessons."
He finished the last of his rum with one swift motion.
"These next few days, we'll train outside the city. I know your combat skills are solid, so I plan to teach you the witcher's swordsmanship as my parting gift."
Kicking something under the table, he gestured for Aldric to look. Beneath it were several packed supplies, along with a folded tent.
"I know you bought a spatial pouch from that dwarf," Gonz said. "And I assume the money you earned from the elves is still with you. Pack these into your pouch. We leave now."
…
And so, master and apprentice followed the dirt road out of the city, heading deep into the forest. Along the way, Gonz occasionally pointed out various plants, some were common witcher herbs, others edible, and a few lethally poisonous. Naturally, the latter two categories overlapped more often than not in a witcher's eyes.
They traveled until nightfall, finally stopping when the witcher chose a swampy clearing as their resting spot.
The ground was damp, hardly ideal for camping, but Aldric said nothing. Seeing that his teacher raised no objection, he silently built a campfire at the center of their makeshift camp.
He could feel that his teacher was waiting for something. So, even as he drank a dose of Tranquil Thought and entered his usual meditative state, Aldric kept a heightened sense of alertness, ready for anything.
But danger came regardless.
In the dead of night, Aldric suddenly felt a cold, wet hand press down on his shoulder. An icy chill crawled up his spine, whispering past his ear. Judging from the size of the hand, the one behind him was a human woman.
How? His mind reeled. I didn't sense anything!
Even with his Perception boosted to sixteen under the effects of Tranquil Thought and his meditation skill, someone had managed to get this close without being detected!
Every hair on his body stood on end as a primal fear gripped him. His instincts screamed at him not to turn around. He could tell—deep down—that doing so would mean instant death.
Slowly, his left hand tightened around the dagger at his waist, every muscle tensing, ready to strike backward at a moment's notice. Even in the face of overwhelming terror, Aldric refused to sit still and await death.
"Don't move, apprentice."
The witcher's calm, gravelly voice came from the other tent across the camp. "Ordinary weapons can't harm a Water Hag. If you turn around, you're dead."
Halfway through turning, Aldric froze. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a pale-skinned, long-haired woman clinging to his back. He could feel her cold breath against his neck, hear the faint dripping of water falling from her body to the ground—drip... drip... drip...
(End of Chapter)