Witcher: The Half Elf

The conversation with Ned went smoothly. Wayne, with his immense wealth, easily convinced the Bear School witcher to collaborate with the new Witcher Order.

Of course, Ned clarified that he could only speak for himself at the moment. However, he promised to inform other Bear School witchers about the proposal. He also stipulated that he would only undertake monster-hunting contracts and refused to act as a killer or mercenary, adhering to the principles the Bear School had maintained since its divergence from the original Witcher Order.

As recorded in the annals of Kaer Morhen, the Bear School was among the first to break away from the original Order. Its members were known for their solitary nature, a characteristic exacerbated by the emotional detachment caused by their mutations.

After the Order lost its leader, Alzur, a divide formed among the witchers. One group, led by the knightly Elan, upheld the chivalric ideal that witchers should protect humanity and fight monsters selflessly. They viewed their calling as a responsibility to aid the weak and combat evil—a noble but taxing path.

The other faction, however, rejected this idealism. They saw themselves as outsiders, transformed against their will into something far removed from humanity. Many witchers in this group were orphans or children sold into the Order by their families, forced to endure the brutal Trial of the Grasses with a survival rate of less than 30%. For them, the notion of risking their lives to protect a world that feared and despised them was ludicrous.

This ideological clash led to a bloody civil war within the Order, with devastating casualties on both sides. Ultimately, the dissenters broke away, forming what would become the Bear, Viper, and Cat Schools. The remaining witchers consolidated into the Wolf, Griffin, and Manticore Schools, the latter exiled to the distant Zerikanian deserts.

Thus, the once-unified Witcher Order fragmented and gradually declined under relentless external and internal pressures.

But thanks to Wayne's efforts, on this day in 1254, in the newly restored Kaer Morhen, witchers from all six major schools reunited for the first time.

...

In the grand hall of Kaer Morhen, a welcome banquet was underway, a rare and momentous occasion.

Wayne had orchestrated the gathering, and witchers from the Bear, Viper, Cat, Griffin, Wolf, and Manticore Schools participated. The attendees included three from the Bear School, four each from the Viper and Cat Schools, two from the Griffin School, five from the Wolf School, and one from the Manticore School, whose attire bore distinct exotic influences.

Also present were over a hundred young apprentices—future witchers—seated neatly along the hall's long tables. The children, their eyes wide with curiosity, stared at the seasoned witchers before them, their awe palpable.

Surrounding the children were staff and attendants, providing logistical support for the gathering. At a separate table sat the Order's sorceres, casually conversing while casting observant glances at the gathered witchers.

Though the number of active witchers was fewer than twenty, the total membership of the new Witcher Order, including apprentices and staff, had grown to over two hundred—a figure that surpassed even the Order's peak two centuries ago.

Standing on the high platform overlooking the hall, Wayne surveyed the scene with a satisfied smile. The vibrant, bustling atmosphere stirred something familiar in him, evoking memories of another story. The sight of so many young apprentices, flanked by veteran mentors from different schools, reminded him of the dining hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from the Harry Potter series he had once seen.

Wayne chuckled inwardly. In about a year, these young apprentices would be sorted into schools based on their talents and preferences—much like the Sorting Hat ceremony at Hogwarts.

But this arrangement wasn't just nostalgia; it was a practical solution to a pressing issue. Every witcher school faced the same existential problem: the lack of successors. Vesemir wasn't alone in his concern for preserving the Wolf School's legacy—every school was grappling with this reality.

The schools had agreed to join the new Order, contributing their remaining knowledge, mutation formulas, and archival materials.

In addition to the strength of the newly established Witcher Order, which provides a haven for various witcher schools, a significant part of its success lies in its ability to offer a steady influx of young apprentices. This ensures that the schools can continue their traditions and grow.

The Wayne Chamber of Commerce, managed by Syanna, has played a pivotal role in achieving this.

Thanks to the Chamber's extensive reach across the North, witchers no longer have to resort to inhumane methods, such as forcibly taking children from their parents, to find new apprentices. In this medieval world of low productivity, even the wealthiest nations face widespread poverty, leaving many orphans and street children to either starve on the streets or fall prey to human traffickers.

Under Wayne's guidance, a comprehensive orphan adoption system has been established in every major city in the North. Each orphan taken in by the Chamber undergoes thorough inspection, training, and evaluation. Children without the necessary physical aptitude or combat potential are excluded from consideration for witcher training, even if they desire it.

Only those who excel in character, talent, and temperament are given the opportunity to become apprentices to the Witcher Order. This ensures that future witchers are not just strong but also capable of upholding the Order's growing reputation.

The profession of the witcher, once looked down upon, is on the path to becoming an elite vocation. The threshold for entry will continue to rise, ensuring that only the most capable and trustworthy individuals can join the ranks of the Witcher Order.

For children who do not meet the criteria, alternative paths are provided. They grow up in orphanages supported by the Chamber of Commerce, where they receive education and guidance. Upon reaching adulthood, these individuals sign ten-year work contracts with the Chamber, injecting reliable new talent into its operations and further strengthening the Order's auxiliary network.

Wayne, holding a wine glass, was deep in discussion with Letho from the Viper School and Ned from the Bear School about the future distribution of apprentices when a sharp, feminine voice interrupted their conversation.

"Why are there no girls among the apprentices?" the voice queried. "I think we should recruit some female apprentices in the future. The Cat School's formula can successfully allow women to undergo the mutation process."

She added, "In some cases, women even perform better than men after completing the Cat School mutations."

The speaker was Kaliya, a petite witcher with a reddish-brown ponytail, pointed elven ears, striking dark green eyes, and a scar etched across one cheek. Her appearance was as striking as her tone.

Kaliya, a half-elf, was the only female witcher in the Order and hailed from the Cat School. She had joined the Order alongside the Grand Master of the Cat School. Her story was as unique as her presence.

Originating from the southern Kingdom of Aedirn, Kaliya had once been a slave sold into a brothel. By a twist of fate, she was rescued by Carakat, who decided to give her a chance at becoming a witcher. The Cat School, having a precedent for female witchers, allowed her to undergo the mutation trials. Against all odds, she survived and thrived.

This was a rather novel experience for the entire profession of witchers. Traditionally, most schools of witchers had held the belief that women could not undergo the mutations required to become witchers—a notion deeply ingrained in their practices.

Hearing the suggestion, Wayne turned to Kaliya, meeting her dark green, cat-like vertical pupils with a thoughtful gaze. A smile crossed his face as he nodded to her gracefully and said warmly:

"That's an intriguing idea," he said. "I'll issue the order, and next year, we'll bring in a group of promising female apprentices."

His smile widened. "You'll be their mentor."

Kaliya blinked, momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected Wayne to agree so readily. Her lips parted slightly in surprise before she quickly composed herself. Glancing at her mentor, Carakat, she sought his reaction.

Carakat, the stoic grandmaster of the Cat School, gave a subtle nod, his expression as sharp as ever. Turning to Wayne, he spoke in his characteristic cold tone:

"Kaliya lacks the strength and experience to act as a mentor, Wayne," he said plainly. "But if you're serious about recruiting female apprentices, the Cat School can take responsibility for their training."