Witcher: The Half Elf

After the great mentor of the Cat School, Carakat, spoke, representatives from the other Witcher schools were quick to voice their thoughts.

Ned, a seasoned Witcher from the Bear School, emphasized that their apprentices must possess exceptional strength and physical endurance. The Bear School's combat style relies heavily on the use of thick armor and heavy weapons, often favoring brute force over agility. In battle, they confront hordes of smaller monsters head-on without dodging, relying on sheer resilience. Consequently, their apprentices must meet stringent physical requirements.

In the past, they had to settle for unclassified candidates due to a lack of talent, but now, with an influx of promising young recruits, the Bear School's representatives were understandably eager.

George of the Griffin School insisted on upholding their school's centuries-old traditions. He stressed that the Griffin School would only accept apprentices of high moral character, ensuring that their techniques would never fall into the hands of individuals who could tarnish the school's honorable legacy.

Letho from the School of the Viper added that while their school had fewer specific requirements, they hoped to recruit as many apprentices as possible. The pragmatic and resourceful Viper Witcher believed in the power of numbers, asserting that a school relying solely on a handful of elites could not endure.

Wayne listened attentively to the requests of each school and approved them, striving to maintain impartiality. Despite his affinity for the Wolf and Griffin Schools, he ensured fairness, knowing that as the leader of the newly established Witcher Order, his impartiality was crucial to fostering trust.

Wayne understood the nature of Witchers. Though blunt and often abrasive, most Witchers were honest and straightforward, which made them easier to manage compared to cunning political minds. Leveraging his financial resources, Wayne introduced a contribution point system within the Order. Members would receive a fixed allotment of points monthly, but they could also earn additional points through teaching, combat missions, and other tasks.

These points could be exchanged for gold coins, rare items, or even traded internally among members. By Wayne's design, even a basic teaching task in the Order yielded earnings rivaling those of minor nobles. This financial incentive helped secure the allegiance of the Cat, Bear, and Griffin Schools, as well as the Viper School, which Wayne had recruited through the Chamber of Commerce.

If the Order's welfare standards were made public, it would undoubtedly attract an overwhelming number of applicants, potentially causing a stir across the Continent. However, Wayne remained cautious. Beyond a few trusted individuals, his faith lay in the apprentices he had trained from childhood and other Witchers who shared his marginalized status. Until his own power reached greater heights, Wayne refrained from allowing outsiders into the Order, wary of the potential for internal corruption.

Wayne's experience had taught him that powerful organizations often crumble from within. To prevent this, he maintained strict oversight and fostered unity within the Order.

After the welcome banquet, members began to bond and familiarize themselves with one another. Those who had initially doubted the Order's strength were reassured after witnessing the collective might of its members. This bolstered their loyalty and cohesion, marking another milestone in Wayne's mission to rebuild the Witcher Order.

[Rebuilding the Witcher Order]

Progress: 6/10

Next Reward: Epic treasure chest ×1, 1000 experience points.

Wayne, however, was not content to rest on his laurels. Following the welcome banquet, he set into motion a bold new initiative for the Order: the execution of the Witcher's secondary mutation process.

This groundbreaking research, based on the work of Kalkstein, had undergone successful trials on Gaetan, a Cat School Witcher. The finalized process offered a safe and stable method to significantly enhance a Witcher's abilities through a secondary mutation.

Such achievements were not solely due to Wayne's substantial financial resources but also stemmed from the expertise of Kalkstein and the contributions of brilliant researchers like Ms. Síle de Tansarville.

Initially, Wayne had hoped to bestow the honor of undergoing the first secondary mutation trial on his mentor, Vesemir. However, Eskel strongly objected, arguing that Vesemir was too advanced in age for such a procedure. To ensure the utmost safety, Eskel suggested selecting one of the younger or more resilient Witchers for the trial.

Although Wayne was confident in the process, he respected the opinions of his close companions. After thorough discussions, they agreed that Eskel, with his decades of experience as a Witcher, would be the ideal candidate. His body had fully adapted to chaotic magic and the mutations from the Trial of the Grasses, making him capable of withstanding the immense strain of the secondary mutation.

This secondary mutation process came with significant requirements. According to the Order's regulations, candidates needed to:

Accumulate a substantial amount of contribution points. Commit to serving the Order for a minimum of three additional years. Meet rigorous strength and physical fitness standards.

At the time, only Witchers from the Wolf School and three Viper School members met these demanding criteria.

Once Eskel was selected, preparations for the trial began in utmost secrecy. To maintain confidentiality, the experiment's location was undisclosed even to Eskel. Utilizing the authority of the Mystery Lock, Wayne teleported Eskel to a concealed research facility, where Síle and her team—disguised to preserve anonymity—conducted the procedure.

Kalkstein's original experimental apparatus, now nearly a century old, had been significantly upgraded by Síle. These enhancements improved both the safety and precision of the secondary mutation process, ensuring its success.

In the lore, Geralt of Rivia is known to have undergone a similar secondary mutation safely and without side effects. While his immense talent played a role, the "protagonist's aura" certainly influenced his success.

The experiment proceeded flawlessly. By the afternoon of the same day, Wayne emerged before the gathered Witchers, accompanied by Eskel, who had undergone the secondary mutation. The sight left the onlookers astonished.

Experienced Witchers could immediately sense Eskel's newfound strength. Not only were the physical enhancements evident, but the flow of chaotic magic within him had also intensified, marking a stark difference from his previous state.

Wayne, noting the astonished expressions of his peers, allowed a confident smile to cross his face. Placing a reassuring hand on Eskel's shoulder, he guided him to the training ground.

"Everyone, I am pleased to announce that the secondary mutation experiment has been a resounding success," Wayne declared, his voice steady and authoritative.

"Following thorough testing, we've determined that Eskel of the Wolf School has experienced remarkable enhancements. His strength and speed have increased by approximately 50%, and the activity of chaotic magic within his body has risen by 30%. Furthermore, his resistance to the toxic effects of Witcher potions has more than doubled."

Wayne paused, allowing the gravity of his words to settle among the assembled Witchers.

"Our expert analysis indicates that the enhancements provided by the secondary mutation will vary slightly among the schools. However, regardless of these differences, this breakthrough represents a monumental leap forward for the strength of our Order."

He continued, his gaze sweeping across the gathered Witchers. "If this secondary mutation can be successfully extended to all of us, it will significantly increase everyone's survivability. Moreover, it will ensure that our Order not only survives but thrives in the face of the challenges we face."

The words sparked a visible reaction among the Witchers. Faces that had previously carried skepticism now bore expressions of cautious optimism, and some even showed outright excitement.