The Divine Hunter

Laboratory under Temple Island.

The roaring flames in the brazier illuminated a series of figures—

As anxious as ants on a hot pan, Oaks and Lambert kept spinning in circles.

The expressionless Leto, Escal, Kayan, and Geralt.

With their arms around their chests and leaning against the wall, Vesemir, Serrit, Aiden, with anticipation in their eyes and a slightly nervous expression...

The witchers guarded a closed metal door, like a group of old fathers waiting for the birth of their children outside the delivery room.

I don't know how long it took, before everyone's patience was about to run out.

"Caz—"

The door opened a crack.

The vulture came out, with deep tiredness on his flabby cheeks, his face was so white that there was no trace of blood.

The original tall and straight figure slumped, and the gray-green pupils lost their former vigor.

Facing a bunch of expectant eyes, he just leaned against the dark and rough wall without saying a word.

Weakly rubbed his face.

Everyone's heart skipped a beat.

Failed?

"Owl, why is it like a dead child? Don't tell me something happened to Carl!" Oakes grabbed his shoulder and shook it.

The latter lowered his head slumped and remained silent, his expression completely buried in the shadows.

And Lambert has strode through the door and went straight to the operating table in the center of the laboratory——

The boy was dressed in a gray silk robe, lying quietly on it, closing his eyes, motionless.

Compared to before the trial, his facial features were obviously a little more mature, and his mandible was shrunk, but he was still pretty, clean, and not stained with a trace of dust.

As if he had left this world and fell into eternal sleep.

Roy stood not far away, beside a row of stalactites that rose vertically from the ground, wrapped his arms around the sorceress's slender waist, and held her hand with the other, comforting her softly in her ear.

The sorceress's pale face was leaning against the witcher's arms, and there were tears in the corners of her eyes, so pitiful.

"Where is the fruit of the golden oak tree? Why not use it to save him?!"

Lambert's arm trembled and stretched out to the boy. The witchers behind him had heavy expressions and a trace of sadness in their eyes.

Until Lambert frowned and muttered with a strange expression,

"It's fine to the touch."

"Hmm..." The boy felt the touch on his forehead, and suddenly sat up straight with a soft moan, stared at him, and several pairs of bright vertical pupils stared at him.

Carl was taken aback, and his amber eyes shrunk into a slit like a cat with fried fur.

"Mr. Lambert...Mr. Vesemir...Why are you all here?"

"Damn, owl, Roy, Rita Ned, dare to tease us!"

"Giggle! Everyone, aren't we good at acting?!"

The sorceress giggled.

Roy couldn't help but smile. It's been a long time since he saw this group of companions so rude, don't have fun.

The group of people was furious at first, but the anger only lasted for a moment, and the corners of their mouths couldn't help but smile.

They are not far away, gathered in Nuocheng, and joined this humble organization, isn't it just for this moment?

Welcome to the new witcher.

And now, all the hard work and hard work over the past few months has paid off!

It's all worth it!

Everyone's faces were excited, and they extended their loving hands to the elementary school apprentices.

And Carl, who had not yet figured out the situation, was in a flash, and countless muscular arms drowned him.

The witchers touched him like crazy.

"Haha!" With an incomparably cheerful laughter, the cat vulture put on his sunglasses again and walked to the disciple with his head held high.

"Don't look at who Carl's student is? He took care of him for half a year, how could he fail?"

"It's just a trial of grass!"

"Who was so worried in the first place? Sighing all day long," Oakes said dismissively. "And what does Carl's trial have to do with you! Thanks to the sorceress!"

"Of course, it is undeniable that Ms. Rita Ned is the most responsible." The vulture gratefully looked at the smiling sorceress holding her little brother's arm. "She has spent countless efforts in the past few months."

"But Carl can't make it without a responsible teacher, inspiring day and night. Is that right, little monkey?"

"Hey, have you touched enough! Stop it for me!"

Serret rescued the boy from the sea of ​​men and looked at him with concern, "Karl, tell me, how do you feel, is there any sequelae?"

The man who was almost bald fell on the operating table with rolled eyes, gasping for a few breaths before returning to normal after a long time.

"I..." A flash of fear flashed in his eyes, and the days when life was better than death first appeared in his mind.

Lying on the operating table twitching and rolling like a maggot.

An invisible sharp knife kept scratching between bones and internal organs.

Couldn't even be in a coma.

Just gotta get through it.

His life was worse than death, and he cried so much that he shed more tears during this time than in the past nine years.

During this period, he even stopped his heartbeat three times, completely eradicated from Teacher Rita's description.

He vowed never to do it again!

But the pain is over.

The boy clenched his fists, feeling an unprecedented amount of energy, and a strong confidence surged in his heart.

"Mr. Rita has checked and there are no sequelae, I feel great!"

He jumped off the operating table, walked around a group of seniors with bare feet.

It was only then that everyone discovered that Carl's body had changed significantly during the half-year period. He was no longer so weak and could not help himself.

He grabbed the air with both hands, stood at his waist, his feet were separated from front to back, his upper body was straight, his shoulders were relaxed, and he made a standard plow position.

"Shh-"

However, since the property of the explosion is not yet familiar.

His movements are violently deformed and out of shape!

Roy's pupils condensed slightly.

Karl

Age: 9

Sex: Male

Occupation: Flying Lion Monster Hunter

Life: 160

Mana: 90

Attributes:

Strength: 4→9

Agility: 4→9

Constitution: 4→16

Perception: 5→8

Will: 5→6

Charisma: 5→6

Spirit: 5→8

Skill:

Longsword Specialization lv1

...

Roy looked embarrassed.

"Is this the mutation of school-age children? It has increased by 30 points, which is 10 points more than the first time I took the medicine."

And Roy also learned from the coral that in the next few years, with the rapid development of the body, Carl will make great progress.

Until the age of 20, the attribute reaches its peak.

Because of the characteristics of the Flying Lion Monster Decoction——

His physique will surpass that of most witchers present, but his strength, agility, and spirit are inferior.

...

"Very good, little monkey..." The owl pressed his head and leaned into his arms. In the past, the top of the student's head could only reach his chest, but this time it reached his neck.

He grew at least ten centimeters taller, from one meter four to one meter five.

"The hand you showed exceeds 99 percent of adult men."

"Finally got a little manly manliness! But you need a time to adapt to the modified body."

"The plow position just now started too hard, and there was absolutely no room for control, understand?"

"I remember, teacher!"

Carl grinned, showing a row of white teeth, and glanced gratefully at a group of witchers with relief in their eyes.

"But I...I've never felt so good, so full of power, I can fly anytime!"

He suddenly stretched his legs and leaped lightly.

Like a deer crossing a ravine, the short body instantly leaps three meters away.

Landing followed by tumbling.

Get up.

Carl couldn't wait to say,

"When I get back to Gawain's house, I'll definitely teach Monty a hard lesson. No, I'm going to fight four! Even if they go together, I'll be sure to take care of them!"

Lambert shook his head, and abruptly pulled the boy's neck under his arm, "Silly boy. From now on, you are an official witcher apprentice... You must not bully the weak or the orphanage's little radish head. "

"In the future, in addition to daily training, you can go out with us to practice, kill a few more monsters... and strive to become an independent demon hunter as soon as possible!"

Saying that, Lambert suddenly put his hands on the boy's sides and lifted him above his head.

Carl blinked a pair of big eyes innocently.

"Guys, look at these beautiful eyes, handsome little face, and I was carved out of the same mold!"

"Bastard!" Owl angrily pushed him away in an instant, regaining control of the disciple.

The two pushed each other.

Carl was stunned in the middle.

The rest of the witchers quietly enjoyed the scene.

"Quiet, quiet! Guys." After a long time, Serret rubbed his chin, "Lambert's suggestion just now is too early, Carl still has to train for a few years, to lay a solid foundation for the seal and swordsmanship, learn Do some alchemy, and follow us on a mission!"

"On the contrary." Escal shook his head and said solemnly, "When did we kill the first monster? After passing the green grass trial at the age of **... It's time for him to find a water ghost to practice his skills!"

"He's been in the conservatory enough, and smelling the flowers... Time for a little bit of wind and rain!" The white-haired witcher smiled at Carl, "You said it was Carl, I guess you can't wait. To be a monster killer?"

The boy suddenly nodded his head like garlic, his face was excited and anxious!

"Owl, the students passed the grass trial. As a teacher, have you forgotten any important steps?" Vesemir stroked his shallow beard and reminded, "The glorious tradition of witchers."

"Even if I forget the woman, I won't forget the student's gift!" Owl snapped his right arm behind him, and he undid the heavy sword belt.

A pair of steel and silver swords were handed to the boy.

With an encouraging smile, the owl said softly,

"Little monkey, since you have successfully passed the green grass trial, it stands to reason that there should be a graduation ceremony. These two swords—the poisonous snake silver sword and the steel sword brought back by Master Vesemir last time..."

"It's the gift I prepared for you."

"Take it."

"In future daily training, they will replace wooden swords..."

"This is for me?"

Carl took his hands with an expression of disbelief, and looked at Owl and other teachers around him inquiringly.

Everyone nodded to him with a smile.

With eager anticipation in his eyes.

This is a collective decision of the Witcher Brotherhood.

Treating the first apprentice they personally cultivated, they smashed their blood.

But this account must be placed on the owl.

What good will the fraternity be in the future, he can only queue back.

...

Karl drew his silver sword, the blade was as smooth as a piece of leather, and the delicate runes reflected the dim light.

Slim and slender fingers caressed the blade of the sword, and the boy's face was filled with an intoxicated smile.

stroking over and over again.

He couldn't put it down, holding the hilt with both hands one after the other, trying to stand the sword upright in front of his chest.

The silver and steel swords were heavier than the training swords he used to use in the past, and the length was beyond his control.

Slightly exhausting.

...

Apprenticeship?

Roy glanced at the bald man.

The latter raised his chin, opened his mouth and silently read the word "Gulwicher" to him.

Roy's face stiffened.

Leto shook his head and smiled, and handed the boy a notebook, which recorded his alchemy experience.

"Boy, you should be honored... Except for you, no other apprentice has so many teachers, by the way... I also prepared a gift for you."

The remaining witchers also expressed their opinions: carefully carved wooden dolls, experiences recorded in leather manuals, leather gloves, boots made by themselves...

Rita Ned also went along with the crowd and gave him a magic pendant, which contained a one-time activation spell-Magic Shield, which was enough to save his life in times of crisis.

Roy gave away a glass bottle containing more than ten kinds of monster teeth, including the dangerous petrified chicken snake and Kathakarn.

He had thought about giving away the cowhide notebook he always carried with him--a record of his strange experiences after stepping into the way of the witcher.

But in the end, he changed his mind, and he was reluctant to send it out.

The most unreliable among the gift-givers was Oaks, who gave Carl a copy of the collection of nonsense love poems that he had racked his brains for on weekdays.

He solemnly exhorted, "Carl, I have long seen that you are interested in little Vicky, listen to me... The little girl is thin-skinned and has no resistance to love poems. Take my painstaking tome and wait for you to memorize it. Poems, read to her one by one."

"She will definitely be touched by you and become the protagonist of your future wedding!"

Carlton's face flushed, and he placed the poetry collection at the very bottom.

Then, his eyes turned on the faces of Roy and the sorceress.

Nodding to himself.

"Teachers, can I show Monty these gifts?"

"They belong to you, at your disposal..."

Roy nodded.

I gave you so much, isn't it just for you to seduce and encourage those little brats?

Carl sat on the operating table clutching a pile of gifts, looked around at the crowd, and gradually burst into tears.

Shaking his shoulders, he choked up.

"Woooo..."

"Just complimenting you little man, why are you crying!" Owl's rough hand smeared his small face, both angry and emotional.

"No one has ever given me so many gifts, and no one has ever treated me so well..." Carl said tearfully, his eyes swept across everyone's necks and licked his lips, "But teachers, why don't you give me the witcher badge? ?"

"Am I failing the mutation?"

"Ahem, although you have passed the grass trial, but you haven't passed the Brotherhood's badge trial..." Vesemir said comfortingly, "When will you wait for you to kill ten kinds of monsters with your own abilities, and then go to the Elements. After the ring meditation... the badge will be given to you naturally."

In fact, the fraternity folks were having a hard time with the new apprentice's badge.

The boy's first teacher was an owl, but he received high-quality education from the three schools of cat, wolf, and snake, and finally took the flying lion monster herbal decoction.

Which badge should I wear?

Later, after repeated discussions, Owl made a compromise.

After the badge trial, Karl chooses his favorite badge - any of the gryphon, the lion, the cat, the bear, the snake, and the wolf. Master Vesemir and the sorceress Rita Ned worked together for him. .

Oaks and Lambert also made a novel suggestion.

The Brotherhood's emblem should be diversified, and other species, such as deer-headed spirits and giant dragons... were rejected by most of them at that time.

"Everyone, let's get to the point. The Witcher Brotherhood has trained its first apprentice. This is a huge breakthrough, a historic moment!" Vesemir looked excited and looked at Roy. , I didn't take it too seriously when this kid painted me those beautiful blueprints."

"Now the facts are in front of us, enough to prove his vision!"

Escal and Geralt were lost in thought.

The two originally rejected the green grass trial, but after spending several months with the children, today, they witnessed the birth of a new apprentice with their own eyes, and the concept in their hearts has quietly changed.

Under the premise of ensuring survival and reducing side effects.

For an orphan like Carl, the grass trial may not be a suitable path.

Kaiyan kept a gentle smile throughout.

The light in the scarlet pupils became softer, and the scars on his face also exuded the brilliance of humanity. He remembered the words Geralt persuaded him in the ruins of Etaiye.

Since it cannot make up for the past.

Then live for the living.

He has done so, and it has been very effective.

He will continue to take care of these orphans.

And Lambert, Serrit, and Oaks are already eager to try, and can't wait to choose one of the remaining seeds from the Gawain family to inherit their mantle.

Leto smiled without saying a word, his eyes wandering between Roy and Carl.

This is the second apprentice through his hands.

He did a feat that the Snake faction hadn't accomplished in decades.

He was convinced that if the Brotherhood's purpose continued to be practiced, the Serpent faction would be revived.

No, it's not just the Snake faction, but the witcher group will benefit from it.

...

And Roy whispered a few words to Coral, gently pulled his arm out of her arms, and walked towards Aiden - the cat-sect witcher who looked at all this enviously.

"Everyone, look here, today is another important day..." Roy gave Aiden a meaningful smile.

The latter remembered the bet they made with Roy in the sewers.

For more than four months, he had been involved in most of the Witcher Brotherhood, sweating for the same purpose.

Before he knew it, he had taken this place as a place to live.

Today, he has witnessed the birth of an apprentice.

And there are no sequelae, unlike other cat apprentices who are tortured by out of control emotions!

No more hesitation in my heart!

"Brothers, I have to say that you have been creating miracles, and I have been watching for so long, and I have an extravagant hope in my heart." The witcher's red eyes flickered and pleaded, "I wonder if I have the honor to join this Great organization - the Witcher Brotherhood, fighting alongside you all?"

"Haha, old man, my IQ has finally returned to normal!" Lambert punched him in the chest, hugged his arm affectionately, and winked at the blank-faced boy, "Carl, you are really a jerk. Little Lucky Star, there are many good things today!"

"Then you are welcome to join..." Leto held out his hand to him.

The witchers spontaneously gathered around Aiden.

From bottom to top, one by one, palms overlap into a pile.

Aiden, Lambert, Letso, Oaks, Serrit, Vesemir, Geralt, Escal, Vulture, Kayan, Roy…

The sorceress rolled her eyes, hummed softly in her nose, and put her hand on the delicate manicure.

Owl gave the ignorant student a wink.

The last little hand.

From the newborn witcher.

Inexplicably excited, Karl's face was flushed.

Everyone looked at each other and smiled, and their hearts were full of complacency!

...

end of volume