Bear School Astartes

It’s true that Karkstan’s ”Animating Inanimate Matter” was helpful to Lann.

When Lann was constructing his version of ”Inner Steel,” he used the knowledge from this book to build his framework of understanding for golems and magic-driven matter.

He finally succeeded in creating this version of ”Inner Steel,” which is not only on par with but even more powerful than the super organs possessed by Primaris Space Marines.

After all, the bone powder of the Extinct Dragon merely endowed Valerian steel with regenerative and tough properties, but there was no way to dictate where these regenerating and burgeoning steel cables would grow.

The control theory for these steel cables was constructed by Lann and Mentos after cramming the theory of golems.

These steel cables would be treated like golems, allowing them to receive commands and grow strictly and meticulously according to the orders.

There’s a famous story about golems that Lann heard at his ”Magic Security and Hygiene” lecture at Airetusa.

’A forgetful mage created a golem and animated it with Alzur’s Thunder. After ordering it to fetch water, he buried himself in deep tomes. The golem never stopped, and in the end, not only the mage’s house but the entire town turned into a swamp.’

Command the steel cables extended from the ”Tendon Coil” in the same way a golem is commanded.

With Mentos’s computational support, if Lann’s orders are updated quickly and meticulously enough to cover every steel cable in the body.

Then he can retain his mobility even in extreme situations like complete skeletal fractures or muscle tears, relying solely on the ”Tendon Coil”.

It’s equivalent to an internal intelligent skeleton.

So Karkstan’s theory has been quite helpful for Lann.

But at this moment, meeting Lann, Karkstan seemed even more excited.

”Your theory of cell differentiation and division has elevated our understanding of cells to a new height! Can you imagine my feelings when I read your paper? My god...”

As Karkstan spoke, he even appeared somewhat animated.

His excitement was palpable.

Lann has always held a rejecting and cautious attitude towards the ’fame’ he gained after the Battle of Sodden Mountain.

So much so that he wore a hooded cloak for long periods when traveling and avoided showing his face.

However, Karkstan’s behavior was different.

He fully demonstrated his academic caliber in conversation, including his understanding of the theories Lann had previously proposed.

So this excitement comes not from ’meeting a celebrity’ but from an academic discussant meeting the originator of a particular theory.

Shanni, initially standing at the door with an attitude to see the guests off, widened her beautiful eyes upon hearing the Alchemy Master’s exclamation.

She completely neglected those prepared to leave standing at the door.

In the cramped room, she squeezed through awkwardly from between Geralt and Dandelion.

”Is it Master Lann? The Duke of Sintra?”

The young female student shouted while squeezing through.

She is now much more enthusiastic than before.

After all, according to Dandelion, she is following the Alchemy Master for advancements in medicine.

And now, whether sorcerer or ordinary person, within the academic circle, it is estimated that few have delved deeper into combining alchemy with human anatomy than Lann.

To her, Lann is a scholar of ’matching expertise’ caliber.

However, as Shanni squeezed over, Lann had already lowered his hood and was speaking to them from within the shadow of the hood.

Dandelion and Geralt glanced at each other; one had obtained a liberal arts degree, the other had hardly attended a formal school.

They rarely witnessed how scientists conduct an academic discussion.

However, Dandelion, out of some sensitivity, quietly moved closer to Triss.

The female warlock now stood with her arms crossed, twisting a lock of her signature burgundy long hair with a finger.

Her eyes were pinned on that tall figure, and even with the cloak, it didn’t hinder Triss from recalling last night’s feelings while admiring her lover’s physique.

”Your gaze is as thick as if honey is about to drip out.”

Dandelion quietly teased after moving closer.

”But in my experience, Triss. When a man discusses topics she can’t understand or partake in front of his lover and others, feelings of anger and disappointment almost arise naturally. Don’t you feel like that?”

”What you described should be called ’insecurity’ and ’neglect’, Dandelion.”

Triss did not turn her head nor shift her gaze; she simply matched the poet’s volume, speaking naturally and casually.

”This fellow student of yours is indeed pretty, but she still needs two more years to grow. Right now, she’s just a fledgling. Do you think I would feel insecure about her?”

”Especially since we all know if Lann wants to sweet-talk a girl into bed, he only needs to remove his hood to solve 90% of the problem. Has he removed it now?”

Dandelion prided himself on not being blind, so he shook his head, then smacked his lips and stood next to Geralt, calmly meeting the Demon Hunter’s knowing gaze.

Shanni had just started university, and she hadn’t interrupted, nor had she even grasped the basics of Lann’s theories.

But as Dandelion said, this female university student was clear in her purpose and determined in spirit.

She had likely chosen her department and mentor before heading to Ossenford, and knew which theories and scholars to focus on if she wanted to be a good doctor.

So just by sitting in on the discussions between Karkstan and Lann, she showed eagerness and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

She refrained from interrupting out of pretense or seeking attention.

Such a sense of propriety was something many young people could learn from.

She genuinely wanted to learn.

Lann could feel it in her emotions.

”Are you here for your own enterprise?” Karkstan asked Lann in surprise, then continued without hesitation.

”A broken financial chain is indeed dangerous. I have some money here, do you need it? No, I’m not doing it for anything; I just don’t want a scholar like you to be bogged down by financial issues. That would be such a waste.”

”Our research process is like navigating the high seas, full of currents, whirlpools, and dangerous shoals. A lone boatman can never uncover all the secrets of a route on his own; he must exchange experiences and discoveries with other boatmen at the dock.”

Karkstan’s words were sincere, and even though he had a less-than-appealing, ape-like face, Lann found him quite endearing.

Because emotionally, Karkstan was genuine.

He was willing to offer some of his money to someone he had just met, just to ensure his intellect wasn’t hindered by trivial matters.

Although it wasn’t his entire savings, just a portion, this act made it all the more sincere.

He wanted to help as much as he could... although he seemed entirely unaware of Lann’s connections with Airetusa and the Valerian Commerce Association.

Unlike the image of someone obsessed with Alchemy, he seemed to be quite a magnanimous fellow in practice.

Lann chuckled softly under his cloak.

”No, no need, Karkstan. Thank you for your kind offer. But actually, I’ve mostly handled the financial issues; I’m just looking for someone to serve as my business manager now.”

He glanced at the Alchemy Master’s humble instruments, limited by space, and the advanced products being generated among these simple tools—the golem heart substrates.

Lann’s lips suddenly curled into a subtle smile.

”Your technology and creativity leave me in awe.”

”I’ve got an idea, Karkstan. Maybe we can make a lot of money together.”

”Whether we make money or not can be decided later,” the ape-faced Alchemy Master waved nonchalantly, genuinely unconcerned about such matters.

Karkstan, instead, eagerly grasped Lann’s arm.

”Can you leave an address—any contact address? I’m genuinely interested in the crystal cultivation project you’re leading, among other knowledge. We can exchange ideas!”

”No problem, just address it to me and send it to Airetusa. I’ll receive it and reply, as I’d also love to exchange ideas with you.”

Lann agreed to Karkstan’s request, prompting the ape-faced Alchemy Master to make a hand-rubbing gesture of glee.

He kept muttering, ”Worth it!” and ”This trip to Novigrad was totally worth it!”

After Lann and Karkstan had finished their scholarly exchange and arranged for future correspondence, Lann prepared to leave.

As he was about to step out, Lann paused, raised a hand under his cloak, and patted the shoulder of Shanni, who was still excited and clinging to a notebook filled with notes from their conversation.

He still did not let this female student see his face.

”If you have ideas in your future studies, we can also exchange letters.”

”Me? I’m just a student, are you saying I can also...?!”

”But I see great potential in you to become a remarkable doctor, so of course we can discuss academic matters.”

Lann spoke softly; he didn’t dislike ambitious people, especially when that ambition involved saving lives as a doctor.

Moreover, the current academic climate was not great.

Thanks to the notion among Warlocks that ’my strength comes from possessing knowledge, not sharing it.’

Even in collaborative research groups, there was always some holding back between members.

Honest exchange and discussion had become a luxury.

Karkstan not only displayed magnanimity in his financial outlook but also shared Lann’s ideals about knowledge-sharing, and he was indeed a remarkable Alchemist.

Shanni’s thirst for knowledge was the same.

So he looked forward to exchanging letters with the two of them.