A few months had passed as the snow around Kaer Morhen's started to melt, The other Witchers began to head out for more missions. Vesemir got made and Callum training like there was no tomorrow.
Callum and I stood opposite one another in the courtyard, as the sun shined on us. Practice swords in our hands. But this was no ordinary sparring session. Vesemir was testing us hard everyday so far.
"Begin" Vesemire said.
We then circled each other. Callum went for the first strike, he feinted left. I parried right, spinning inward, forcing our swords to cross mid-step, I ducked low and swept a foot under Callum's boot. Callum leapt, twisting over my back, landing behind me.
We moved together, our blades colliding and sliding off each others.
My blade deflected a strike, opening Callum's defenses. Then Callum ducked under a counter, using my shoulder for leverage as he vaulted over a thrust. I barley managed to separated, turn, and struck back in tandem, our forms were like mirrored images.
Watching from the balcony, Geralt and Coen exchanged glances.
Coen scoffed. "They're improving, it's almost scary how go they are getting. Even if Cain isn't as good as Callum, he is not week by any means."
Geralt nodded once. "They're both still sloppy. But give them time and they could give us a run for our money."
Callum's final blow stopped a hair from my neck. My sword rested over Callum's ribs.
A draw. Again. We panted, smiling.
"Your getting better Cain. That was our third draw today." Callum said.
"No," I replied. "Were getting better." I then heard a notification ping from the system, but I ignored it.
Later that evening, I was in the alchemic lab wing surrounded by lit candles flickering all around me. I was crafting potions and thanks to the system my potions and food won't expire and come out as fresh as I made them. Thanks to my resources I manage to make a few things.
1. Swallow Potion Effect: Restores 50% of health over 10 seconds. Toxicity: +25
2.Tawny Owl Effect: Accelerates stamina regen for signs over 60 seconds. Toxicity: +20
3. Black Blood Effect: (Anti- Vampire Potion) Makes blood poisonous to Vampires/ Necrophages on contact for 45 seconds. Toxicity: +30
4. Golden Oriole Effect: Grants resistance to poison for 120 seconds. Toxicity: +25
5. Thunderbolt Effect: +10% melee damage for 60 seconds. Toxicity: +25
6. Specter Oil Effect: 10% damage vs wraiths, specters, and spirits.
7. Fiend Decoction Effect: Increases maximum vitality by +20% temporarily. Reduces stamina regen by -10% Toxicity: +70
8. Succubus Decoction Effect: Regenerates vitality slowly when near enemies. Stamina regen halved. Toxicity: +70
That drained the majority of my monster ingredients, but I made some through making these potions and drinking them I gained a few things over the past few days.
[System Alert]
New Skills Acquired → [Alchemy – Level 1]
Effect: Cain can now brew and consume basic potions, oils, and decoctions. Success rate increased.
[Passive Skill Unlocked → [Poison Resistance – Level 1]
Effect: Slight resistance to poison. Reduces poison damage by 5%.
Bonus: Increases Toxicity Threshold by +25.
[Passive Skill Unlocked → [Regeneration – Level 1]
Effect: Vitality recovers slowly 2% per every 10 seconds in combat, and 4% per every 5 seconds outside of combat.
Toxicity Threshold: 0/100 → 0/125
This is good I was hoping for poison resistance but regeneration. There was no telling when the system would stop giving non poisonous potions as rewards. Until I can recreate them on my own this will help keep me alive.
After that I walked around the castle, my body still full of energy made it hard to sleep. I found Vesemir in the empty library wing later that night, the old Witcher pouring over old scrolls.
"Master Vesemir?"
The old Witcher looked up. "Couldn't sleep either, hmm?"
I shook nodded my head. "Can I ask you something… why do you still train us? Why keep making Witchers? It's dying out. The world doesn't even want us anymore."
Vesemir leaned back slowly. The candlelight etched deep lines in his weathered face.
"Because someone has to remember what it costs to be protected."
I waited in silence.
"I've buried more boys than I've saved, Cain. But you and Callum… you're different. You're choosing this path with eyes open. Not out of desperation or debt. But purpose."
He stood and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"If even one of you survives long enough to protect someone who needs it, then it was worth it."
I nodded, the weight of it settling in my chest.
You and I both agree on that old man. Let's see if I can make those sacrifices worth it with me.
Another year passed.
The wind screamed louder over the walls of Kaer Morhen. Snow piled high against shuttered windows. But within those stone bones, two young Witchers honed their storm.
Cain and Callum had spent every day refining their Witcher skills.
Steel clashed. Sparks danced. I ducked under a horizontal slash from Coen, parried upward with Aard-enhanced force that sent dirt and rocks exploding around us. At the same moment, Callum twisted behind Geralt, Igni flickering from his palm to force distance.
Geralt stepped back, reading the formation. "They're improving as they fight," he muttered.
Coen grunted, "That's real talent."
Callum and I shifted, switching opponents without signaling. I caught Coens heavy sword strike against my Quen barrier, buying Callum time to slam a Yrden trap at Geralt's feet.
The circle crackled, limiting movement.
Geralt smirked and sidestepped it. "Clever, that's good thinking, it almost worked."
He pivoted, slamming Aard toward Callum, who rolled with the blast, using the momentum to fire a Aard towards me. I used the force of the blast to help support my strike to Coens side.
Thunk. A padded hit. But a point scored.
Coen sighed. "That' was wasn't bad brat, your team work is good."
I grinned. "We're fast learners."
That night, the fire in the great hall cracked and popped as me and Callum rested, skin bruised and our bodies sore.
Geralt leaned against the hearth, arms crossed.
"You're sword skills are improving Cain. Sometimes fighting a mindless beast is easier then fighting another person, and a Witcher is more dangerous then any monster."
Coen grunted. "Hopefully you both won't be in those type of situations. Just focus protecting humans and yourself above all else. That also means knowing when to walk away from certain contracts and fights, regardless of money or if you can win."
Callum nodded, massaging his ribs. "We know. But your right..." Callum looked down.
I wonder what's on his mind.