Nejire and the rest of the students had to go back to their classes, so Vesemir went to the principal's office to find something to do. Anything that would allow Vesemir to repay his benefactor.
Nezu heard a knock on his office.
"It's open Vesemir, come in." The principal of the most famous school for heroes said.
Vesemir entered the room, closing the door behind him.
"Good day, Mr. Nezu. How did you know it was me who knocked?"
"With cameras."
"Cameras, sir?"
Nezu smiled gently, turning on one of the large screens to show Vesemir what was happening on training ground no. 3. Several students were currently training to save people from a burning building. Robots played the role of people. Vesemir immediately thought of the possibilities of his grandmother Triss, who was able to communicate with another sorcerer or sorceress from a distance while maintaining an image. "Would it surprise you if I told you that I've seen something like this before?"
"Oh?" Nezu asked.
"Wizards in my world are able to communicate remotely, along with the transmission of images."
"I can assure you, Vesemir, that this is not the work of magic, but of technology, but I'm sure that's not what you wanted to talk about. How can I help you?"
"I would like to repay you for your care, and take on some useful activity, Mr. Nezu."
The smile on Nezu's face did not disappear.
"Oh Vesemir. You don't have to do anything to repay us. It is our duty as an educational institution to help children. I have already made preparations to start your education. You speak our language like a native Japanese, but you need to learn the alphabet to start reading and writing. You have no classes or duties until the duel begins... It's only two o'clock... Tell me, Vesemir, do you have any hobbies that don't require your... combat skills?"
Vesemir pondered... he sat down on the couch, just as Nezu nodded for permission. What could he possibly do? Now that he was out of danger, and Mr. Nezu had clearly noted his non-combat skills...
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*Flashback*
"Hey Ves! What's up?"
"No...a portrait?"
"I look like a drowner! And this is how you treat your best friend?"
6-year-old Vesemir threw a tantrum.
"You'll see! One day I'll be the best painter in Nilfgaard!"
"Oho? And then you'll paint a portrait of me?" A girl his age asked, whose face he couldn't remember.
"Hah! Then you'll beg to pose as a vase stand!"
*End of flashback*
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Vesemir lowered his head... and Nezu didn't press him. He could see the boy sorting something in his mind. When he was about to ask the boy if something was wrong, however, he said a bit uncertainly.
"Could...you find a canvas on which I could...paint?"
Nezu's expression softened.
"But of course Vesemir. As I understand it, in your world such a hobby was expensive... I must surprise you that here it is much cheaper, even small children use paints in large quantities. So you don't have to be ashamed. Would you like to paint something specific?"
Vesemir nodded slightly surprised.
"...Yes... a certain person..."
"Of course Vesemir...of course..."
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Nezu made sure that the items required for painting were delivered to Vesemir's room as soon as possible. A large wooden easel, a painting palette, a set of brushes, pencils, canvases of various sizes, a pad of clean white paper... All of this cost a fortune in Vesemir's world, if it existed at all.
Nezu looked at the surprised Vesemir. He knew perfectly well what the young boy was thinking.
"Calm down Vesemir. Here, the items are very cheap, as I already told you. Oh! I almost forgot the most important thing."
Nezu pulled out a small device the size of a small phone and placed it next to the radio.
"If you take something with writing on it, the device will read it and say it out loud. For example... o"
He took the record and put it to the device. A calm, monotonous voice said.
"The Four Seasons by Vivaldi"
"I understand that Midnight showed you how to use this device. Choose the CD that interests you and... enjoy the music. Just remember to get some rest before tomorrow. I'll ask Midnight to come over to your place when it's time for dinner. If you need anything, you can find me in the office, or you can knock on Aizawa's door next door. The walls are well-insulated, so you don't have to worry too much about the volume."
"Thank you, Mr. Nezu."
Vesemir bowed to his benefactor. Nezu smiled once more and left the room, closing the door behind him... now all he had to do you observe the boy and his actions. Nezu hadn't told Vesemir about the cameras in his room. Unfortunately, that was necessary at the moment.
Vesemir examined his 'tools of the trade', as his teacher called the art supplies. Like everything he had seen in this world so far... excellent quality. He prepared his work tools and there was only one thing left... to use a device called a radio. Vesemir decided to choose a record at random, and without using the device to read the name, he simply inserted the record into the device. He sat down on a chair, in front of the canvas, picked up a brush to apply the first layer of paint and...
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* Gladiator Soundtrack- The Battle Hans Zimmer *
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*track time from 0:00 to 1:00*
An unfamiliar track played in the room from multiple speakers. It started with a low, dark sound with a male choir in the background, which put Vesemir in a slight state of anxiety. Something like... a male choir was supposed to build tension for the upcoming battle. Vesemir's hand stopped before the paint touched the canvas. He closed his eyes to see the picture that was being painted before his eyes.
The infantry lined up. The commanders of the selected sections were making final adjustments. The archers took their positions
*track time from 1:00 to 2:30*
The intensity increased. Vesemir was once again in the saddle on the fields of Toussaint.
The enemy infantry rushed to meet us. The prince looked at me, thinking I didn't see his uncertainty. He was in a hurry, but I just nodded. There was no turning back now.
Vesemir's hand moved by itself. Choosing colors, applying layers, painting creatures.
*track time from 2:30 to 4:00*
The expressive, sharp sound of the orchestra, giving rhythm to the ongoing battle in Vesemir's head.
Shots flew in both directions. The infantry gathered in the center and on the left flank, only to give way under the enemy's pressure after a moment. We were supposed to just sit in the perimeter as a terror, but fate had other plans. A trumpet sounded, followed by commands. We must strike the enemy from the side, or our infantry will fall to pieces
*track time from 4:00 to 5:30*
The infantry do everything they can to stop the enemy's advance. The clatter of hooves reaches their ears. The moment of fear passes when the awareness that it was their cavalry that came to their aid filled their hearts with courage.?
*track time from 5:30 to 7:00*
The fast pace given by the commander excited our mounts, thirsty for blood. These were not just any mares, but full-blooded warhorses straight from the cold north. The sound of a war horn. The signal to charge. The uncertainty disappeared somewhere, replaced by a feeling of euphoria built by the sound of a thousand hooves. The enemy finally realized that a detachment of armored cavalry was approaching, but it was too late. Vesemir felt his mount drive its hooves into the ground of some unfortunate man. The cavalry delved into the enemy a dozen or so rows deep, reaching the shield wall of the allied infantry. The young Witcher lost his horse, which was pierced in the chest with a spear. The young man jumped out of the way just in time, slashing the spearman in the face, not looking at his fall, he turned to deal another blow.
*track time from 7:00 to 8:30*
It was a massacre. Prince Merdan stood knee-deep in water, driving away enemy infantrymen. Vesemir rushed to his aid, along with the rest of his bodyguard. Arden had not been the same since his brother's death. He slashed the enemy left and right, disregarding his own safety. Right behind him, David hit the warrior who had come up behind Merdan with his crossbow. Vesemir slashed the wounded man with his sword. The exhausted Prince had no chance in a lonely fight, but fortunately his companions were there. Vesemir burned the face of another warrior using witcher magic.
*track time from 8:30 to 10:00*
No one counted how long this skirmish lasted. Minutes? Hours? The day was still the same, and a group of four young men, yes, already men, who had proven themselves on the battlefield. No one would ever call them boys again. From now on, they were men, but the price of such elevation was high. Common soldiers looked at them like characters from legends. Armored, they still had helmets on their heads with closed visors. No one saw their tears, sweat, fear, fatigue, but also determination. They had come to Toussaint to participate in a knightly tournament, and they ended up defending this land from the first armed invasion in centuries. The first day of the battle was not over yet. In reality, it was just one skirmish between several units. Now it was time to leave the battlefield to make way for the rested units to take their place. Vesemir and Merdan exchanged glances. They both knew Geralt would rip their legs out of their asses for participating in the battle. Vesemir could always defend himself by saying he had no choice but to go after the Prince as protection, but he wouldn't do that. They both fought, they both survived, they both would suffer the consequences.
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A few hours had passed since Vesemir had been left alone. Nezu, once he had finished with his duties, switched the screen to the view from Vesemir's room directly at the boy painting. His face fell when he saw the white-haired boy's gaze. He immediately called Midnight, who was nearby.
"Midnight-san. Please go to Vesemir's and take him to dinner."
"Of course... is something wrong, Nezu?"
"I don't know yet, but I don't like the look on his face. I don't know what he's painting, but Vesemir moved his easel so that the camera can't see it from this angle. Just don't scare him."
Nemuri ran towards the boy's room. Right in front of the door, she stopped. She allowed herself to catch her breath and knocked.
"Vesemir? Can I come in?"
Silence answered her. She grabbed the doorknob and gently opened the door.
"Vesemir, it's me. Midnight-sensei. I've come to take you out for dinner..."
Nemuri looked at the boy, who was staring at the painting, which was out of her sight. She walked around him to put her hand on Vesemir's shoulder.
"Vesemir, is everything okay?"
She asked and looked at the painting.
Description of the painting
Four knights stand knee-deep in the morning water, their backs to the viewer, fighting a fierce battle with the advancing enemy infantry. Among them, one stands out not only with his movement, but also with his gesture - it's Vesemir, but in this scene he's dressed like a knight: in full, heavy plate armor, well-fitted to his figure. Despite his knightly gear, he has retained his characteristic white mane. His hair spills out from under his helmet.
At that moment, he raises his steel-clad hand and releases fire from it, shooting out at the nearest opponent. Flames explode into the face of the enemy, who screams and falls, hugging himself helplessly as the rest press on. The fire illuminates the darkness of the morning mist with a golden and orange glow, adding drama to the whole scene.
The remaining three knights fight hand-to-hand: weapons clash with weapons, shields tremble from blows. A broken crossbow sticks out of the water. The water around is churning, stained with blood, and the sun is just emerging from behind the horizon, illuminating their armor and creating a luminous counterpoint to the Witcher's fiery spell.
End of description
Midnight understood immediately... This was the battle Vesemir was talking about. She hugged him gently from behind, trying to make some kind of contact with him.
"Vesemir...Vesemir please...it's over..."
The boy shivered. He calmed down suddenly, understanding where he was. He breathed heavily.
"Midnight-sensei?"
"Yes Vesemir...it's me...How are you feeling?"
"Thank you Madam, I'm fine"
Midnight let go of him slowly to crouch in front of him, looking him straight in the eyes, trying to detect if the boy was lying.
"Can you tell me why you painted this?"
Vesemir looked at the painting once more. He knew exactly why, because for the first time in his life he could allow himself to relive his memories without fear for his own life, but he wasn't going to share this information with anyone. He couldn't come across as weak. Just a moment of inattention... there may be no assassins here who want to kill him, but if he somehow got into this world, sooner or later someone else might find a way to... teleport. The young witcher mastered his emotions and donned an invisible, cold mask that didn't express any emotions.
"I think that... under the influence of inspiration I decided to paint something from my memories."
"Who are the others in the painting? I assume you're the one with the white hair?"
"Yes... that's me... The others are David, Merdan and Arden. Merdan is Prince Kovir and Poviss, and we were his entourage."
Something strange happened to Vesemir in the area of his heart. A sense of guilt... but also a form of fulfillment... for the first time he could paint his experiences, give form to his thoughts, pay tribute to the fallen... And Vesemir understood... that he still had many paintings to paint... but he was afraid that his life would not be enough for it.
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10 minutes later, after taking Vesemir out for dinner, Nezu, Hound Dog and Aizawa were looking at the boy's painting.
"Good God..." Hound Dog mumbled.
Nezu nodded sadly.
Aizawa, on the other hand, felt angry. Anger at Ciri for allowing such neglect... Anger at all those who had hurt his son... but also at himself... that he had not been able to stop Ciri... that he had not been able to gain her trust enough... for her to at least tell him about Vesemir and not leave him in his care... and right next to the anger there was also a sense of guilt... that if he had been more decisive... if he had been stronger... He felt ashamed that he had even dared to think of calling himself Vesemir's Father... He was his Father... but not Dad... Through his clenched jaw he could only say...
"Forgive me... son..."
End of Chapter 12