Bear School Astartes

”If Lambert wants to return to Ker Morhan, then those who came to earn money can continue stepping up. No thug born in this city can beat a fully armed Demon Hunter.”

But Lambert’s instinctive retort came from outside the door again.

”That little girl has been staying in Ker Morhan for almost two years now, and by now, she’s got some skills. Yennefer also said that long-term isolation has a significant impact on one’s, um... psychological health? Growth experience? Whatever the term is, the impact is significant.”

”Planning to bring her out soon, let her interact more with her peers.”

The implication being that Ciri will not stay long in this civilized world border castle, Ker Morhan.

And the Wolf School Demon Hunters won’t need to split into two to stay in the castle just to protect a little girl anymore. Their life routine will return to its previous state.

Lann, on the other hand, is rather indifferent about it.

He paid no attention to Lambert’s shouting outside and continued talking to Belengar.

”This will be a long-term, ongoing employment task with considerable benefits. Even if a Demon Hunter wants to leave temporarily, it doesn’t matter. I also know Ged from the Bear School.”

”He should be quite satisfied with such an easy job.”

”There’s also Kohen from the Griffin School... but I’ve heard he has a long-term cooperative relationship with a mine in Bovis, even being a shareholder, so he might be too busy to come.”

”But even unfamiliar Demon Hunters will do, after all, we just need the force and the reassurance that comes from Demon Hunters’ neutral stance to maintain order in the workshop, right?”

Belengar nodded. If we station a Demon Hunter who won’t favor either humans or non-humans for security, then things shouldn’t fall to the worst scenario.

Namely, when humans and non-humans resort to violence and bloodshed.

And in that case, Belengar, the technical manager, can finally focus on the technical field without being bogged down by such troublesome affairs.

Just leave it to the professional manager.

Clearly, he’s not cut out for ’engineering management, personnel arrangement’, and being forced into it these past few months has nearly pushed his already pessimistic hairline further back.

”But we still need to be discerning and not recruit Cat School and... those mentally unstable maniacs.”

Belengar cautiously spoke, initially wanting to add ’Bear School’.

The Cat School is generally considered mentally agitated and easily uncontrollable, while the Bear School is more like cold knives without empathy than warm humans.

This mental state is viewed as madness, even by proper Elves or humans, and is not accepted by either community.

However, after looking at the oblivious young man across the table who nodded in agreement, Belengar wisely controlled his words and omitted ’Bear School’.

As for what Lann said, ’issuing a long-term employment task in the name of Airetusa Academy’,

it was uttered casually as if in conversation yet didn’t stir any psychological ripples in Belengar.

Because, in his eyes, it’s a matter of course.

”There’s another thing I need your help with.” Lann casually arranged under Airetusa’s name, calming the tense atmosphere before speaking to Belengar again.

”Your armor?” The Old Demon Hunter leaned back in his chair before Lann finished speaking, saying assertively. ”Someone like you, not wearing armor feels no different than being naked, right? No sense of security or tension.”

”You came to see me today, yet beneath the cloak, there’s no armor. Something’s definitely up.”

Lann clapped in admiration: ”Indeed, that Grandmaster Level Armor was burned to pieces.”

”Burned to pieces?” Belengar exclaimed, ”My goodness... what did you encounter?”

”A dragon.”

”A real dragon? Surely not?”

”Speaks human tongue, scales indestructible, over one hundred and forty meters long, Dragon Flame able to melt gold in seconds.”

Initially surprised, Belengar ceased speaking once Lann described Smaug’s basic traits.

Only his mouth twitched, producing clicking sounds of tongue against teeth.

”So how about that?” Belengar scratched his chin, ”You shouldn’t be busy right now, right? I can make another one for you. But of course, you’ll need to cover the material cost.”

Hearing these words, Lann’s eyebrows promptly raised.

”I pay? Wait... has my financial situation turned from crisis to stability?”

Belengar pulled open a drawer in his office desk, rummaged for a bit before taking out a letter and handed it to Lann across the table.

”Your agent is quite impressive. Three or four months ago, news was couriered by Giancardi Bank’s messenger on his behalf.”

Lann opened the letter, seeing Dudu’s handwriting.

He briefly conveyed his business operations over this period and the asset conditions Lann entrusted him with.

With the timely financial supplement, the assets indeed started operating again, and the original properties gradually revitalized.

While some investments remain in their initial phase, many have started to yield returns.

Currently, Lann holds shares in two shipping companies in Novigrad, one specializing in ocean transport, the other in inland river transport.

Though Lann’s available liquid funds have shrunk compared to before, his assets have healthily expanded.

One cannot say Shilton Giancardi’s operational period did not yield results.

Within the correspondence, there is a letter that obliquely details the funding status and control measures of the newly risen Dark Alley Gang in Novigrad.

Dudu has indeed executed the roughly outlined plan well, steadily progressing.

Thus, Lann now possesses a sizeable sum of liquid funds, along with tangible treasures brought from Lonely Mountain.

After reimbursing the funds misappropriated from the Knight Order, the remainder suffices fully for his re-armament or supplementation.

The healthy operation of assets makes Lann feel quite pleasant.

He refolds the letter and tucks it back into his chest, only to swivel his hand and touch the alchemy pouch at his waist.

With effort, he extracts a piece of dragon scale wrapped in dragon skin and hands it to Belengar.

”I am indeed planning to craft a new armor set, yet I must admit, the original Grandmaster Bear School Armor feels somewhat burdensome now. It can’t keep up with my pace of advancement.”

Belengar immediately straightens in his seat, raising an eyebrow as he takes the dragon scale offered by Lann.

Cautiously and meticulously, he feels the texture of the Smaug Dragon Scale and dragon skin.

”Is this...?”

The Old Demon Hunter casts an inquisitive glance at Lann.

The young Demon Hunter shrugs, saying, ”It’s the dragon that burnt my armor to ashes. It’s called Smaug.”

”Truth be told, its scales are indeed indestructible. I harnessed its power with much restraint to bring it down. So I thought...”

Lann does not finish the sentence, but extends his hand with the dragon scale, his gaze fixed on Belengar, making his intentions perfectly clear.

”Can you see if it’s possible to utilize these dragon skins and scales? You, too... uh, were once a Demon Hunter; you understand my practical needs for armor and scenarios, right?”

”These advantages other blacksmiths lack, not to mention your craftsmanship is top-notch.”

”Yes, yes.” Belengar retorts with a disapproving glance when Lann momentarily falters, continuing.

”Easy to wear, easy to maintain, strong environmental adaptability, minimal restriction to the wearer’s movements, and most importantly, the synergistic effects that accompany enchanting the set. Tsk, you think it’s possible to have armor automatically wipe one’s backside?”

”I know designing a new school’s gear based on a new material is a massive project. Within the Demon Hunter School, it might take two generations to complete an embryonic version.”

Lann ignores Belengar’s sardonic remarks, as seeking one’s help necessitates diplomacy.

”But you’re different, Belengar. Barring any surprises, you’re the most accomplished craftsman in Demon Hunter history! Fame, resources... which Demon Hunter is as illustrious as you? That’s talent!”

”This endeavor might take others two generations, but I believe in you! You can surely finish it in a matter of months!”

The young Demon Hunter spares no effort in flattery, and Belengar appears not entirely opposed to the task.

Coupled with Lann’s pleasing words, the Old Demon Hunter merely grimaces while saving Smaug’s dragon scale and skin beside him.

Indicating he will study the properties of this new material.

After securing the materials, Belengar turns to ask, ”How much did you bring back from this dragon?”

”Smaug’s skin, when laid flat, could cover half a town. I brought back... four or five rooms? Thereabouts.”

”Shall I craft you a Bear School armor set using my design for you to wear?”

Belengar glances at the armor parts that fell out of the alchemy pouch alongside the dragon scale Lann retrieved.

”The main components remain; only the leather and cords have been burnt away, making reassembly not too challenging. A friendly price, charging you three hundred Oren for materials.”

The young Demon Hunter scratches his chin, examining the scattered pieces of his armor.

”Hmm... better not. I don’t have any need to wear armor lately. Going directly for the completed version is ideal.”

”Alright, then it’ll stay with me.” Belengar starts to organize the scattered pieces, ”I’ll restore it later and hang it on the armor display rack.”

”What’s the story with the polished marks on these dragon scales? They already appear to be made to fit onto the armor’s main body.”

”Smaug occupied a dwarven kingdom. After I dispatched it, the dwarves helped flay its skin, conveniently performing pre-treatment.”

Actually, when Lann previously asked the Lonely Mountain Dwarves to pre-polish the dragon scales, he internally thought Belengar’s tools might be inadequate for processing Smaug’s scales.

But now, seeking assistance, naturally, he would choose kind words and omit the unkind ones.

Lann’s adeptness at controlling tone and interpersonal interactions effortlessly evokes a smile on Belengar’s lips, though the Old Demon Hunter may not even notice it himself.