The Witcher: Grinding Experience Starting as a Wolf School Witcher

Chapter 4 The Witcher's Code

The putrid, bloody stench of the water ghosts wafted across the training ground, plunging it into a brief, deathly silence.

Paul swallowed hard, then exclaimed in astonishment, "My God, Alwin... he actually killed that horrible water ghost!"

Horton, who had narrowly escaped the water ghost's attack after being kicked to the ground by Alwin, looked at Alwin with a shocked expression, even forgetting to get up from the ground.

Not far away, Vesemir's amber-colored cat eyes were also filled with surprise.

Geralt sheathed his silver sword, and after his eyes met Vesemir's, a slight smile appeared on his lips, as if to say, "Even you can misjudge people sometimes."

Vesemir coughed lightly.

"Come here, everyone!"

Alwin flicked his wrist slightly, shaking off the bloodstains from his training sword, and strode to Vesemir.

Vesemir first examined Brad's injuries, then took a small black bottle from inside his jacket lining, removed the cork, poured some of the liquid into Brad's mouth, and then poured it onto the wound on his right arm.

Alwin stared with his cat-like eyes. The bleeding wound on Brad's right arm quickly stopped, and even formed a thin scab.

Arwen thought to himself, 'It's a potion. Such a long wound, and it's working so quickly—it's truly amazing.'

Vesemir said reproachfully, "If you don't have the ability, don't try to show off like others. You'll only drag them down."

"You'll need to get your wound bandaged up and rest for a few days before you can rejoin the team."

Brad nodded in shame and returned to his place in the line.

Vesemir looked around at everyone, and the atmosphere became tense.

Even Geralt, who was standing to the side, perked up.

"The results of this training have surprised and disappointed some people."

"Aiken, I know you train hard in swordsmanship and want to prove yourself, but youth makes you impulsive and you don't care about the dangers in front of you."

Upon hearing this, Aiken first lowered his head, then said in a low, defiant voice, "Master Vesemir, if Brad hadn't suddenly intervened and disrupted my rhythm, that water ghost wouldn't have hurt him, and I could have killed it like Alwin did."

Vesemir frowned, stepped forward until he stood before Aiken, his imposing figure exuding an intense sense of oppression.

"Oh, damn it, you mean Brad is dragging you down?"

Aiken's pupils dilated, he swallowed hard, and unconsciously took a step back.

Vesemir pressed on, "Aiken, lift your head and tell me, what are the principles of the Witcher? Speak them out loud!"

Aiken was so shocked he couldn't speak.

Vesemir snorted, snatched the training sword from Aiken's hand, and turned to look at Alwin.

"Arwen, you speak."

Alwin stiffened, frantically searching his mind for knowledge of the Witcher's Code.

Thanks to the effect of [Dual Soul], he quickly recalled it.

"Master Vesemir is the protector of humanity and his companions."

Vesemir exclaimed, "Good, very good!"

His gaze fell on Aiken again, his eyes fierce and menacing. He reached out and grabbed the latter by the collar, lifting him into the air, and said, word by word.

"I remember telling you from the very first day you picked up your swords that you must learn to help one another. You must learn to use your swords not to kill or be killed, but to save lives—your own lives, and the lives of others."

"And you, now you're blaming your companions for dragging you down? You should be ashamed of that."

Aiken lowered his head, clenched his fists, and dared not resist, his eyes filled with resentment.

"I know I was wrong."

Vesemir snorted coldly, "Go back and reflect on your actions. Don't touch your sword until you've figured this out."

After saying this, he put Aiken down and glanced at the other apprentices again. Except for Alwin, they all lowered their heads on their own.

The reason was simple: they could tell that Vesemir was very dissatisfied with their performance in the fight against the water ghosts.

Vesemir took a deep breath. "Today's water ghost trial is over. I hope you remember the fear of today. Next time, Geralt and I won't be there to guard you."

"Listen up, all apprentices! Run twenty laps around the castle. No lunch until you finish."

"Yes, Master Vesemir!"

The apprentices shouted in unison and hurriedly ran towards the city wall.

Geralt watched his apprentices' retreating figures, as if recalling the scenes of Vesemir training them years ago.

Of all the apprentices in his cohort, only Eskar, who was slightly older than him, survived.

"Um?"

Geralt exclaimed in surprise, noticing that Arwen, who should have been with the group, was still standing in the same spot.

Vesemir looked at him, arms crossed, the anger in his cat-like eyes still burning.

"Tsk tsk, Alwin, I actually forgot about you, my little hero. Didn't you hear what I just said? All the apprentices."

"Or do you, like Aiken, believe they're holding you back?"

"Or did you kill a water ghost and now you want to curry favor with me?"

Alwin's lips twitched slightly.

He now understood where Geralt had learned his sometimes venomous tongue.

They probably learned it all from this stubborn old man in front of them.

Arwen first performed the apprentice's salute.

"Master Vesemir, just now when I was fighting the water ghost, I felt that my swordsmanship had improved somewhat, but I couldn't fully master it in a short time."

"So, I wanted to ask what to do with those four water ghosts over there. Could... could I challenge the water ghosts again?"

Upon hearing this, both Vesemir and Geralt's cat-like eyes narrowed slightly.

"Geralt, listen to what this kid is saying, he's really something."

Geralt straightened his back, finally looking directly at the Witcher apprentice before him.

Arwin was also surprised by Vesemir's straightforward praise. He scratched his head and gave a shy smile.

Vesemir clapped his hands and said, "Since you have this request, as a Witcher, I will certainly grant it."

Geralt noticed Vesemir's deliberate gaze, a wicked smile appearing on his lips, and quickly walked to the wooden stake.

Alwin perked up and licked his dry lips.

"Kill three more water ghosts, and I'll get a 100% water ghost mutant. With Vesemir and Geralt here, it's the perfect opportunity. I hope they won't disappoint me."

Alwin had already begun to imagine what kind of boost the water ghost mutant would bring.

But at that moment, Geralt bypassed the water ghost's front and drew his sword, severing all the silver chains in one strike.

The four water ghosts, having caught the scent of blood, were already in a state of agitation. Their dead fish eyes, gleaming with ferocity, were all fixed on the blood-stained Arwen.

Arwin stiffened, his hair standing on end, and immediately shouted at Vesemir.

"No, Vesemir, I mean a one-on-one fight."

Vesemir then made way, saying, "Silly boy, isn't this the challenge you asked for?"

"You've already proven yourself in a one-on-one fight. Besides, where in the wilderness and swamps outside can you take on monsters one-on-one? If you're looking for a challenge, you should definitely go for something exciting."

"Don't stand there like an idiot, Arwen, draw your sword!"