Bear School Astartes

The complete set of bulky tomes obtained from Philixia is alchemical literature compiled by Herbert Stanford.

This warlock was one of the initial members of the warlock council and has achieved pioneering advancements in the field of alchemy.

Although one might expect a technology to develop stronger and more refined with time.

However, because this is a world with extraordinary powers, it’s not uncommon, and indeed reasonable, for warlocks with unique talents to delve into a field reaching levels beyond their era.

Therefore, even now, the knowledge within this set of books is considered profound.

These are also among the few unread alchemical titles Lann has yet to explore in the library of Airetusa.

Studying biology through [Memory Deep Dive] and practical experiences across worlds, learning alchemy through books.

These two aspects are pillars of Lann’s academic system.

And he is still continually delving into higher levels.

In reality, even Stanford’s ”Supplement to Alchemy” is merely a reference for him now, not even qualifying as ’guidance.’

Just like any scholar who has researched deeply into their respective fields, he is about to tread into untouched territories.

Ahead lies no guidance or planning from predecessors; it depends entirely on his own exploration.

After thanking Philixia once again, Lann waved goodbye and walked out with Maria.

”You people here, too, conduct human experiments?” Maria’s cold and indifferent voice asked. ”In the lab earlier, I saw many organs.”

Amidst the bustling hallway of female warlock apprentices, just as Lann expected, Maria, clad in a Yan’an hunter’s coat, carrying an aura of Cainhurst’s blood nobility’s indifferent nobility, attracted the curious attention of many.

However, over the past few days, she seemed to have already grown accustomed to much of it.

”Does this make you uncomfortable?” Lann looked down at Maria.

The research hall of the gray blood disease in Old Yan’an, and the patients she had taken care of there... this was nearly Maria’s nightmare.

”No, I’m not that shallow.”

The female hunter gently pressed her triangular hat and shook her head.

”Though I’ve seen through the true face of the Healing Church, the cruel reality that cannot be denied is: progress in medicine and life sciences relies on countless victims. However...”

”Sacrifice itself is noble, yet is still divided between voluntary and involuntary; among the involuntary, there is deserved, accidental, and innocent.”

”Only this point...” Lann smiled at Maria, ”You don’t trust me?”

The Yan’an blood noble elegantly raised the brim of her hat with two fingers, glanced at the demon hunter’s smile, and after a moment of silence, lowered her head, taking a deep breath.

”No, let’s just... chalk it up to my sensitivity.”

-----------------

After days of dealings, business in Airetusa was almost completed, and it was the day Lann had agreed with others to go to High Hill Castle.

Maria and Adeline, during these few days, have completed an overall blood replacement in their bodies through [Big Appetite Energy].

The disposed blood was collected and, under Lann’s supervision, was entirely incinerated by [Combat Skill: Residual Fire].

Yan’an was never a place too obsessed with food and wine, and the time spent on eating these days even made Adeline and Maria exhibit anorexic tendencies.

Fortunately, [Big Appetite Energy] greatly improved the efficiency of food nutrient conversion, otherwise, they might simultaneously develop an aversion to toilets.

”We’ll meet outside the city.”

Walking out from the main gate of Sandy Island where Airetusa is located, Lann explained to the two ladies beside him.

”Don’t be afraid, Adeline. Belengar will be with you, besides Gos Velen is indeed not big, nor complex... compared to Yan’an.”

”It’s hard even to get lost. Kado Street goes straight to the city gates.”

The Qilin is ultimately too conspicuous, though Lann can now use this cloak to hide his identity, the Qilin does not have this privilege.

Maria, as always, was calm, the brim of her triangular hat cast a soft shadow on her delicate pale face in the sunlight.

Adeline curiously lifted her skirt, observing the still lively motorcade extending from Airetusa’s main gate.

The academy, for this top-level wizard assembly, constantly purchases goods in bulk, with trucks coming and going frequently.

For someone living in Yan’an, this ’ancient yet vibrant’ scene is indeed enough to stir curiosity.

Conversely, Adeline and Maria, due to their seemingly peculiar attire and demeanor in this era, were watched curiously by people.

But since they emerged from the female warlock academy, no one felt that this ’peculiarity’ was out of place.

”Are we riding horses?”

Seeing Lann leading two horses over, Adeline curiously asked.

Maria, however, had already adeptly taken the reins of one horse.

”The roads there aren’t too easy to traverse; carriages won’t do. You can ride, can’t you?”

Lann explained, receiving a nod from the Blood Saintess in response, handing over the reins of the other horse.

Just in time, Belengar, aligned with the agreed time, was heading this way along Kado Street with Ged, whose tall stature and bushy beard were evident.

The old demon hunter had crafted a high-level Wolf School armor set for himself, quite noticeable on the streets of Gos Velen.

He now seldom grips a sword; crafting this armor purely for collection purposes.

Meeting outside the city was partly for Geralt’s sake.

If we’re going to hide, then it’s best to avoid places with many people.

Maria and Adeline had already shared a meal with the demon hunters in a previous private gathering, so there was no need for introductions.

By the way, because the effects of the ”Big Appetite Energy” hadn’t worn off at the time, Ged was impressed by the ladies’ appetites.

He thought that Yan Nan people especially loved eating.

He admired such a hearty appetite and said he wanted to send them some specialty dried and salted fish from his hometown, the Curved Coast Duchy, for them to taste.

Living in the perpetually gloomy and indifferent Yan’an, the two ladies couldn’t handle such enthusiasm and muddle-headedly accepted without yet finding an opportunity to explain to Ged about their appetites.

After a brief greeting, Belengar led the two ladies from Yan’an towards the outskirts of the city, while he still needed to fetch Bopai. This was already planned.

Watching the three lead two horses, heading straight out along Kado Street.

Lann reached out to shoo away the energetic flies and horseflies still thriving due to the livestock convoy, despite it being autumn.

”Is there anything unusual in the workshop district?”

Two Bear School members stood there, and Lann asked with his head tilted sideways.

Ged shrugged: ”No issues as far as I know. Didn’t you ask the same during dinner a few days ago?”

”I’m just urging caution on your part. After all, Belengar and Geralt aren’t around these days, and neither am I.”

”But this is Gos Velen,” Ged scratched his chin, looking puzzled at his companions, ”The headquarters of the Female Warlocks, the workshops there belong to them.”

”Who would dare bring a barrel of oil here and set it ablaze?”

”Are you being overly sensitive?” Initially, Ged was dismissive, but then he looked seriously at Lann, ”Have you heard something?”

Lann shook his head: ”Rumors have always been around, just hard to tell true from false. I just have this feeling... things aren’t peaceful lately.”

”A feeling? That’s vague... but I’ll be cautious.”

The brawny man with shaved sides and hair tied into a neat braid nodded and smiled, then reached back to pat the two hand-and-a-half swords.

These were Valerian steel swords cast by Belengar following Bear School designs, with only a silver coating on the exterior.

Lann carried them en route to the war-torn Sintra, handing them over to Ged.

They had long since been through life-and-death situations together.

Lann’s advice would be taken seriously by Ged. Ged’s promises were completely trusted by Lann.

Especially since Ged trapped himself in Sintra just to deliver Lann’s message.

”Earning this money, I’m sure I’ll do the job,” Ged scratched his stubbled neck, speaking matter-of-factly. ”I wouldn’t want to lose this gig.”

Lann eyed him up and down: ”I think to keep this job, you should occasionally venture outside and do some work... you’ve gained weight.”

The Roaring Bear Head Pendant at the armor collar jingled as Ged embarrassedly scratched his head.

Jokingly commenting on his old friend’s recent neglect, Lann also stepped out, his head down as he walked out of the city.

No hindrances, the qilin re-adorned with the magic horse harness after half a year was somewhat irritated, frequently snorting and shaking its head and legs.

Acting as if displeased with ill-fitting clothes, in reality, it was just being playful.

The Three-Floral Kitten playfully jumped and meowed on the qilin’s back.

When the qilin kicked its legs, it jumped from its rear to its head, when it shook its head, it jumped from its head back to its rear.

”Meow? Oh, big boss is here, meow!”

Belengar rode on Bopai, the two ladies from Yan’an, though not proficient, sat steadily on the horse.

Geralt rode a chestnut mare they were seeing for the first time.

”I guess its name is Carrot?”

After correcting the qilin’s character with two fists and mounting his horse, Lann raised an eyebrow at Geralt.

Only to receive an unenthusiastic reply from the wolf school demon hunter: ”You truly have foresight.”

Although he knew he had to stay calm from Lann’s analysis, Ciri was being tracked, keeping Geralt’s nerves tense.

Responding to this sarcastic remark was already due to being relatively relaxed around Lann and Belengar.

During this time, under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t even be able to smile.

Lann knew comforting words had little meaning, so instead nodded towards the others, leading a run through Velen’s marshes and wilderness.

The dampness from the marshes and sea, the robust earthy and grassy scents, mixed in the wind blowing off the sea.

This wind brushed against the ancient tall trees on Velen’s shore, and without clouds or rain, the lush vegetation presented vivid colors under the sunlight.

Of course, in Velen, the wild wolves’ howls and dog packs’ barking were never absent.

The current situation was tense, yet across these wildernesses and marshes, it seemed entirely isolated and unaffected.

Even while galloping, it seemed even Geralt, with the heaviest heart, relaxed a bit.

But after riding for most of the day, finally reaching the foot of a hill near High Hill Castle.

The qilin, which had maintained a leisurely pace like a casual stroll, slowed on Lann’s cue, finally coming to a stop.

The leading young demon hunter’s previously relaxed smile gradually faded, his amber cat eyes fixed on the ground.