Morning broke over Kaer Morhen as the clash of swords echoed through the training yard. Snow had finally stopped, but the sky remained wrapped in gray. I exchanged strikes with Callum in the courtyard.
A month had past since we met his sister Calanthe. Since then I been working hard everyday like a mad man.
Everyday I started increasing the intensity of my sparring's with my fellow Witcher's at Kaer Morhen. I learned in order who are the best and worst. Vesemir is number one but I know Geralt second but will surpass him soon. Then it was Eskel, Coen, then Lambert in that order. Me and Callum are tied but Callum is still slightly better then me.
Skill wise, I improved a lot over the month. Whatever I set myself a task I find myself hyper focusing on it. It's probably due to my new trait, Lustful Obsession. Vesemir, had to tell me to take a break after everything I been doing.
Between physical & sword training, I been finding new ways to use signs and my proficiency levels have gone up. I will start to try and fins ways of evolving and altering ways to use sign magic. I been coming up with ideas like using Igni & Yrden. A trap that weakens an burns you would be a great for battle.
I been building new things like showers and tubs. It was nothing fancy that used the plumbing I just set up the showers to released stored water to the bottom and the tub I used we inspired from Japanese style indoor tubs. I created a storage system to put the water in. It also can be heated using fire wood and the Igni sign.
The results surprised me when I received a notification from the system.
[Stat Update – Mental Growth Detected]: +2 Wisdom. +1 Intelligence.
This is new I didn't think my stats could improve like this. This just gave me ideas for the future. I told myself, I would have to learn from a craftsman, and blacksmith. If I do this I could create weapons, armor and accessories with great stats and buffs.
I focused back on the duel with Callum. I noticed the longer I fought Callum the more he adapted to me fighting. He would always have this explosive strength that came out of nowhere. I could tell I was the more dexterous one, but Callum had power and stamina, and he knew how to fight and control the rhythm.
As our swords clashed Callum spoke.
"Cain can we stop this. We been sparring nonstop everyday, and it's lunch time. I'm starving."
I smirked with sweat dripping down my face." Fine it's been almost 3 hours, I will tell you what. It you can disarm me I will cook you whatever you want before we leave tomorrow. So what do you say?
That's when the wind shift. The whole vibe around Callum began to change. His smile was gone and a stoic cold expression was on his face.
"I will hold you to your word Cain."
Why is it the brat can only focus when food is involved. Doesn't matter I know when he makes that face he's serious. He always beat me quickly when he is like that.
In a moment Callum was in front of me. We exchanged strikes at near inhuman speed.
Clang! Clang! sounds were echoing louder throughout the courtyard. I couldn't block any of Callum's strikes. He aimed every time at my wrist and hands, each strike was more powerful then the last. I could barely hold off or parry his strikes. Not only was his sword strikes getting stronger. He was beginning to move faster.
Then in a flash, my sword left my hands, and then Callum kicked my legs from under me. I managed to backflip and catch myself. Before I even realized it Callum had his sword pointed towards me, with my sword in his other hand.
"I win Cain" Callum said with sweat dripping down his brow.
I sighed and nodded. "Okay what do you want for lunch ?"
Callum just had a wide smile on his face. "I want bacon and eggs."
I chuckled. "I got it. Let's go and clean up first."
Later on back in my room. I was packing my supplies to leave out on my journey from Kaer Morhen with Callum.
I sighed. I ended up cooking Callum, 3 portions worth of food, it's a good thing I stocked the food reserves in Kaer Morhen or else he would eat this place until it was empty.
I decided to open up my Status Window to check my current status.
[Status Window]
Name: Cain Age: 15
Race: Half-Elf (Mutated)
Title: Monster Hunter(Novice) (Currently Equipped)
Class: Witcher (Wolf School)
Trait: Bloodline: Elder Blood(Novice)
Strength: 28
Dexterity: 30
Constitution: 29
Intelligence: 27
Wisdom: 26
Charisma: 18
Luck: Unknown
Stat Points: 0
Ability Points: 1
Abilities & Skills:
Mind's Eye: Level 2
Cold-Blooded
Swordsmanship: Level 6 (Intermediate)
Meditation: Level 3
Cooking: Level 5
Alchemy: Level 3
Regeneration: Level 1
Poison Resistance: Level 2 (Toxicity Threshold:0/150)
Warp: Level 1
Sign (Magic):
Aard – Level 5
Igni – Level 5
Yrden – Level 5
Quen –Level 5
Axii – Level 5
Heliotrope – Level 5
Inventory:
Elven Set( Moon shadow Blade, Spirit Hood) Cat School Hooded Cloak
Runestone: Lesser Glyph: Aard, Quen
Runestone: Quen
Potion of Minor: Vitality (2), Elixir of Clarity (1), Tonic of Fortitude (1)
Scroll of: Lesser Restoration, Cure Wounds (Minor)
1 Rare Equipment
Chests Damaged items: 4
Okay my stats and skills have gotten better. I haven't had a chance to test my Warp skill much for it to improve. I ran through the area jumping between tree's but I figured out 2 things. I need to have quick reflexes, to be able to react to the locations I jump to. I ended up hitting myself against multiple tree's, if I don't get better soon I might end up getting stab or beheaded by a monster or a very lucky bandit. The second issue. Warping requires a lot of stamina. Which also surprises me why I don't have a mana or MP through the system. I wonder if it's because I don't know how to truly tap into magic yet?
I decided to save my equipment chest for later, after I earn some more. I know travel is gonna be crazy because we don't have horses like Geralt and some of the other Witcher's.
The next day Callum and I stood in the courtyard ready to set off from Kaer Morhen. Coen, Vesemir, and Geralt were seeing us off.
"You runt's really came a long way from when we first found you. Now don't go getting yourselves killed." Coen said with stoic expression on his face.
Geralt nodded. "You worked hard and trained well, just remember none of that matters to a monster or bandit. One bad move and your a goner, so remember your training and don't try and be some heroic knight. You will live a lot longer that way.
Both Callum and I nodded.
"Cain are you sure we couldn't have used the funds we accumulated to get you both new horses? You both are gonna be hiking for days if not weeks?
I shook my head confidently. "I'm sure Master Vesemir. Me and Callum will be fine, We'll just consider this another trial to make our on way and get our own horses."
"Yeah, plus it gives us more time to see the world around us. Especially since were not training or fighting monster's yet." Callum said showing a wide grin on his face.
Vesemir nodded, with a small smile on his face. "I swear you both are something else. Alright if you both insist I will listen. Be safe out there and make our school proud."
After that both Callum and I headed out. After we left the court yard I decided to give Callum my Cat School Hooded Cloak.
"This is a nice gift Cain. The material seems really good. It feels like something a Witcher would wear. Where did you get this?"
"Don't worry about it. Just consider it a gift since were not traveling with horses for right now. At least this way you won't be cold."
Callum nodded. "Thanks Cain I appreciate this."
Ok good so this confirms it. I can share equipment from the system. That makes my future plans easier. For dealing with certain conflicts or the Wild Hunt in the future, a little more easier.
After a few days of walking in Silence with Callum I decided to ask him some questions.
"Hey Callum, can you tell me more about your dad, since we are most likely to run into him while we are visiting your home.
Callum gave a rare sigh. "He's a noble like I told you before. A Minor landholder. Not the worst, but not the best either. He definitely won't brag about his bastard now, Witcher son. So Don't expect a warm welcome, but the people in the village are decent. Not too ignorant. They aren't the friendliest to elves, but their are a few who reside there. So you can start to find some answers there, might be a few contracts floating around, too."
I smiled slightly. "So a tense reunion, an awkward dinner, maybe some monsters, political issues may be included. Sounds like a good time. What about your half siblings?"
Callum smirked. "They are nothing of note from what I remember. A brother and a sister, and twins surprisingly to. but they had my father's family raven hair. Besides that just two spoil brats."
I nodded. "Yeah. I get that kind of hard to be close with family when the parent's mainly your dad and their mom make it clear your unwanted or lesser then there current children."
Callum gave me a grateful look. " Yeah but I have mom, Calanthe and you Cain. So I know who my family is."
I gave a small smile. "Always brother, we have come this far. Might as wells go to the depths of hell, and all the way to the pearly gates and beyond.."