NOVEL SIMPLE 196. The Cat School is Here!
"My favorite book?"
Allen was stunned for a moment, noticing Robin's suggestive gaze. A unique little book with a lambskin cover suddenly floated into his mind—The Witcher Master and the Succubus's Thousand and One Nights.
His face flushed red in an instant!
Luckily, he was standing in front, and no one else noticed the change in his complexion.
"Don't slander me!"
"When did I ever like that kind of book?!"
"You were the one who shoved it into my hands before leaving!!!"
Allen loudly argued in his mind. But facing the curious and puzzled looks from the other witchers behind him, he barely managed to maintain his composure. Nodding expressionlessly, he spoke quickly: "Don't worry, Robin!"
"We will definitely win!"
Seeing Allen full of confidence, eager for tomorrow's match because of his promise, Robin revealed a look of mutual understanding: "As expected of my best friend. Just like me, you appreciate great works of art…"
"I'll have to choose some more carefully when I return!"
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After Robin left, Hughes leaned over curiously and asked, "Allen, what's your favorite book?"
Before Allen could brush it off, Fred confidently replied on his behalf: "Isn't it obvious? It must be books on alchemy and magic!"
"Otherwise, how could he create so many potions and magical gadgets?"
Hughes nodded in sudden realization. Allen's mouth twitched slightly. He neither confirmed nor denied it. Vesemir, looking at Robin's distant figure, sighed: "You two really get along well!"
"Bringing messages, giving books..."
"A book related to alchemy must be quite valuable, right?"
"Uh… it should… probably be expensive…" Allen mumbled vaguely, glancing at the sky, and quickly changed the subject: "Master Vesemir, it's already noon. Let's have lunch!"
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When leaving Orchard Inn, not only did the innkeeper give them a big basket of cream-white bread, but the villagers who had been helped also gave them some dried fruit and meat. It was enough to last the group for two or three days.
"Ding ding~"
After a simple lunch, the five witchers, including Allen and Vesemir, each took out four vials of ghoul heart extract from their potion bags. This was something Allen had pulled from his witcher journal four days ago, pretending to come up with a new potion formula while hiding in his room and messing around for half a day. They each drank the extract in one gulp.
A tingling warmth spread from their stomachs, gradually permeating their limbs.
Although it felt good, after opening the witcher journal with his thoughts, Allen noticed that his strength hadn't increased.
"So, the ghoul heart extract maxes out at 20 doses, increasing strength by five points?"
Allen understood.
He used an appraisal spell to check the status of the other witchers.
[Name: Hughes]
[Loyalty: 100]
[Attributes: Strength 13 (+5), Agility 8.4, Constitution 12, Perception 8.9, Mystery 4.6]
The stats of the other young witchers were similar to Hughes. A nearly 50% increase in strength was enough to match five years of growth for Cat School witchers.
With the addition of their dual-wielding swords (Wolf School LV3) and their signs all at level 2, this was the confidence Allen and Vesemir had even after learning about the Cat School witchers' cheating.
Vesemir looked at the now-empty glass bottles and clicked his tongue in admiration: "The potions Allen brewed are truly amazing!"
Although...
This was his fifth time taking ghoul heart extract. Yet, the sense of fulfillment from the strength boost was still refreshing and intoxicating each time. The idea of becoming stronger just by drinking potions was something the past him could never have imagined.
Even with the precedent set by the Foglet heart extract, he never thought that the grotesque, common ghouls could also have hearts with such benefits.
However...
Foglet heart extract…
Ghoul heart extract…
Vesemir pondered for a moment, then looked at Allen and asked: "Can the hearts of all monsters be turned into such strength-enhancing potions?"
"I'm not sure, but I think most of them can," Allen casually replied, laying the groundwork for future monster heart potions.
Vesemir nodded slightly.
He glanced at the young witchers who were lost in the joy of their newfound strength, about to tell them to get up and practice swordsmanship to adapt to their sudden power increase. Just then, a familiar male voice came from outside.
"This... is where you'll be staying today. You're on the third floor, the Wolf School is on the second..."
The Cat School witchers had arrived!
Vesemir and Allen exchanged glances, their expressions turning serious.
"The Wolf School witchers have already arrived?" a deep male voice asked.
"They got here this morning."
"Thud!"
As soon as the words were spoken, heavy footsteps stopped on their floor.
About two seconds later, the deep voice sounded again: "I am Guxart of the Cat School, the leader of our team for this competition..."
"Wolf School friends, won't you come out and meet us?"
The loud voice echoed through Alzur's tower. Vesemir frowned even more deeply upon hearing this. He certainly didn't want to see these Cat School witchers, scum who tainted the name of witchers.
Not to mention they had once disguised themselves as assassins, secretly attacking, trying to kill his apprentices. But unfortunately, to maintain the school's reputation, he couldn't afford to be impulsive.
"Damn sorcerer, he's obviously trying to stir up trouble between us!"
Cursing silently, Vesemir led the young witchers out of the room, coldly saying: "I don't remember ever having friends like you."
Allen followed Vesemir out and looked towards the stairs. A man in a black robe was leaning against the wall, smiling smugly at the scene. is face was full of schadenfreude. Allen recognized this sorcerer. He was Faruk, the one who had maliciously delivered a message to Kaer Morhen months ago on behalf of King Henselt.
Standing beside him were several witchers with gloomy expressions, dressed in light leather armor and carrying twin swords.
Unlike the diverse eye colors of the Wolf School, the incomplete mutation formula of the Cat School seemed to have resulted in uniformly murky yellow eyes. Just looking at them made one feel uneasy.
Even more unsettling were their cold, indifferent gazes, as if Allen, Hughes, Bond, and Fred were already corpses in their eyes. Guxart clearly didn't care about Vesemir's sarcasm.
He frowned slightly as he surveyed the figures around Vesemir. Seeing only a few young witchers, he asked in disappointment: "Why not invite the other Witcher Master to come out as well? I've admired him for a long time."
Another Witcher Master?
Vesemir was momentarily stunned.
How could they know about Allen's identity? Didn't the leader notify them?
Wait!
Allen is standing right next to me. If he truly knew Allen's identity, he wouldn't have asked this.
So...
Vesemir focused on observing Guxart's eyebrows and eyes; they indeed resembled that of the Cat School Witcher who delayed him the other day.
"You're the Witcher who ambushed us that day!"
It was a statement, not a question. But the Cat School Witcher across from him chuckled softly. He neither denied nor admitted it. Such things could be done, and even if the victim found out, it wouldn't matter, but it certainly couldn't be admitted aloud. Especially since that mission had completely failed.
"Looks like the timing isn't right this time, hopefully, I'll meet him in the future."
After saying that.
Guxart led a few cold-faced and somewhat arrogant Cat School Witchers up to the third floor. Vesemir didn't say much more. His gaze followed these Witchers as they ascended, watching until they disappeared from sight.
"Hey!"
Faruk, who was leaning against the wall, sighed.
He seemed rather disappointed that the two Schools hadn't fought right then and there. He stood up, scanned the faces of the Witchers, and was about to follow the Cat School's steps. Then he suddenly noticed a familiar face.
"Are you Allen?" he asked.
Though two or three months had passed.
But.
Whether it was a Witcher who only knew how to wildly swing a sword suddenly learning alchemy, or the fact that the Scarlet Fox Vera had taken on a Witcher apprentice...
Both events were incredibly memorable.
Let alone when they were combined.
Thus, Faruk vividly remembered Allen, and after a few glances, recognized him immediately.
"Allen?"
Guxart's voice suddenly echoed from the third floor.
"Thud, thud, thud"
Amid hurried footsteps, Guxart's murky, dark yellow cat eyes once again appeared on the second floor of Alzur's Tower.
"Which one is Allen?"
Faruk hesitated for a moment, then pointed towards the young Witcher next to Vesemir: "That boy with the beautiful blue eyes standing beside Master Vesemir, that's him."
"He's the Scarlet Fox Vera's only Witcher-alchemy apprentice..."
"So, Guxart, have you heard of him too?"
Not a Witcher Master?
Guxart's pupils contracted as he gazed at the young Witcher protected by Vesemir.
However...
An alchemy apprentice of the Scarlet Fox...
Could it be that Brett and Fredeca were killed by some magical item?
No, that can't be right!
Both Brett and Fredeca wore the School's medallions. Even if the magical item was formidable, with the medallion's warning, they should have at least escaped...
Countless thoughts and speculations swirled in Guxart's mind. No matter how he pondered, he couldn't figure out. How a mere Witcher apprentice, who appeared to be only thirteen or fourteen years old, could have killed Brett and Fredeca.
The most likely scenario was that there was another hidden Witcher Master among the Wolves, besides Vesemir. Guxart wanted to ask about the assassination that took place. But he knew full well Vesemir wouldn't reveal the truth to them. In fact, it could leave him vulnerable to manipulation.
So.
After deeply staring at Allen, Guxart turned to Faruk and nodded: "I have heard that name before..."
"And it left quite an impression!"
Without waiting for Faruk's response, he turned and once again headed towards the third floor. Faruk didn't seem to mind. After a few moments of silent contemplation, he smiled at Allen, about to say something.
Suddenly.
Bang!
A familiar explosion sounded.
"Ah! What is this? Poison?"
"Why is there a magical trap here? It must be those hypocrites from the Wolf School downstairs..."
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"Calm down! This is just a simple magical trick..."
Before Guxart could finish speaking.
Pfft!
A series of continuous, indecent noises interrupted him. Vesemir and Allen exchanged glances, and without saying a word, pricked up their ears.
"Serves them right!"
Fred laughed gloatingly.
Bond, who had clenched his fists tightly ever since the Cat School Witchers appeared, finally relaxed. He could never forget what Fredeca had done that day. Because of this, his disgust for all Cat School Witchers had only deepened.
"You'll get your chance for revenge!" Hughes patted Bond's shoulder, comforting him softly. "Tomorrow, with our own swords!"
"It seems my distinguished guests need assistance..."
Faruk chuckled, though he wasn't in a hurry to head upstairs despite what he said. He looked over at the Wolf School Witchers, bowing slightly: "Allen, please convey my regards to Lady Vera. Our Ban Ard has always admired her accomplishments in alchemy."
"I will."
Faruk smiled and nodded, before slowly walking up the stairs towards the chaotic third floor.
"Is this how Ban Ard treats its guests?"
Guxart's furious voice echoed from the staircase.
"Relax, relax... it's just some childish prank..."
Faruk's explanation was insincere.
Meanwhile.
Outside Alzur's Tower, the vulgar laughter of children could also be heard: "Witchers soiled their pants, Witchers soiled their pants..."
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It was clear.
Ban Ard's sorcerer apprentices had no intention of distinguishing between Cat and Wolf Schools. However, among the Wolf School Witchers. Only Fred muttered, "It was the Cat School Witchers, not the Wolf School."
The rest, pleased with their opponent's embarrassment, generously let the ill-natured sorcerer apprentices go.
Of course.
As for this act of adding fuel to the fire. The victims certainly weren't in as good a mood as Allen and the others.
"I'm going to kill them!"
One of the Cat School Witchers shouted angrily, seemingly ready to jump down and teach those apprentices a lesson. The Wolf School Witchers eagerly crowded by the window, waiting to watch. But in the next moment, they were disappointed to hear Guxart's furious shout: "Get back here! Haven't you embarrassed yourselves enough?"
Seeing the situation turn, the few masked sorcerer apprentices laughed heartily and fled. They left the Cat School Witchers on the upper floor, furiously cursing for quite some time before calming down.
To be honest.
This was the first time Allen had heard so many curse words.
It was truly an eye-opener.
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After that, nothing else unexpected happened.
Although Ban Ard had arranged individual rooms for each of them, due to the previous ambush by the Cat School, the Wolf School Witchers naturally wouldn't sleep apart. They randomly picked an empty room and sat cross-legged on the floor.
Allen took a deep breath, watching as his companions closed their eyes one after another, and he followed suit.
He knew.
The next time they opened their eyes...
It would be the Wolf vs. Cat Duel Tournament, deciding the fate of the Schools!
....…
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197. Sword and Sword.
198. The Match Isn't Over, But the School of the Wolf Has Won.
199. Where Did the Celestial Convergence Come From?
200. Putting on a Show.
201. Henselt is Dead?