Bear School Astartes

”I’m different from Belengar and Geralt in terms of attitude towards the Cyan Grass Trial.”

Lann slowly organized the connection between the infusion tube and the inverted round-bottom flask, speaking softly.

He didn’t look at Stuart on the restraint bed, but Stuart understood that these words were meant for him.

”When they underwent the Cyan Grass Trial at Ker Morhan, their only fear was not making it through.”

”But when I underwent the mutation, I was very clear-minded; even if the mutation completed, that was just the first step of my goal. If I couldn’t endure even the first step, perhaps my life would be easier... by ending prematurely.”

”But I succeeded.”

As he spoke, Lann had already connected the infusion tube.

The tricolored potion was mixed proportionally and flowed smoothly from the round-bottom flask into the infusion tube, only kept from flowing further because Lann pinched the tube, balancing the pressure.

The infusion needle was held in the hand of the young Demon Hunter, and he almost had a sense of déjà vu.

As if he had done the Cyan Grass Trial for others before.

But he was well aware this was an illusion... he was just recalling his own Cyan Grass Trial and through empathy, let his memories stand from Bordeaux’s perspective.

”I have great confidence in the potion formula I invented; the Big Appetite Energy won’t let you die.”

Lann continued to speak calmly.

”I also have great confidence in your will, the pain of mutation cannot defeat you.”

”So I will confirm one last time: Stuart, are you sure you want to undergo this mutation?”

The ugly, incomplete jaw didn’t move, only allowing a glimpse of the thick root of the tongue gliding and wiggling slimily.

But Stuart’s eyes were looking at Lann without hesitation or doubt.

Even though he didn’t receive a verbal answer, Lann silently nodded.

”I understand.”

The young Demon Hunter’s eyes flashed with a reflective look.

”I don’t know if Ker Morhan’s Cyan Grass Trial still includes this, but respecting tradition...”

Lann took a deep breath and then pushed the cold, gleaming needle onto the blood vessel on Stuart’s chest.

The terrifying poison only needed to travel a short distance in the infusion tube; as long as the needle broke through the thin layer of skin, it would enter the body... Lann quietly questioned.

”What do you long for? What is your desire? How will you uphold your will?”

Stuart’s eyes flashed with understanding, while Belengar, who had originally turned his head to the side, suddenly turned back.

Most Demon Hunter apprentices, or those aspiring to understand Demon Hunters, have heard this phrase.

”I don’t yearn for wealth and fame, status, and power. I want a horse as black as night and as swift as the wind, I want a sword as bright as moonlight, I want to ride my black horse at night, I want to use the sword in my hand to cut down all evil; this is what I seek in my heart!”

The old Demon Hunter mumbled hesitantly and uncertainly due to the distant and blurry memory, mixed with Stuart’s indistinct and difficult mumble due to his mouth full of saliva.

Lann continued speaking, and Belengar continued mumbling.

The old Demon Hunter’s voice gradually became continuous and smooth, merging with that of the young Demon Hunter.

”There will be a stallion waiting for you, darker than night, swifter than wind. There will also be a sword forged for you, sharper than light, brighter than the moon. But these insignificant desires will cost you dearly!”

”I have nothing left!” Stuart’s unclear voice was yet unwavering: ”So I am fearless!”

And thus, Lann no longer hesitated.

The needle against Stuart’s chest blood vessel penetrated the skin directly, and the fingers pinching the infusion tube released, allowing the potion to flow through the tube into the body.

Lann released the needle already inserted into the blood vessel and secured Stuart’s limbs on the restraint bed.

Meanwhile, he picked up the Big Appetite Energy that Stuart had brought in and placed beside him.

Seizing the few minutes before the Cyan Grass Trial potion took effect, Lann stood in front of the restraint bed.

His palm gently rested on Stuart’s forehead, as if comforting a seriously ill child.

”There’s not much else to say.” Lann opened the bottle cap single-handedly, carefully pouring the Big Appetite Energy into Stuart’s imperfect, drooling jaw.

Lann leaned forward, looking at him resolutely and seriously: ”I’m waiting for you to be reborn.”

More than ten milliliters of the mixed potion had flowed into Stuart’s body, and the effects of the Cyan Grass Trial began to officially manifest.

Stuart’s previously relaxed body suddenly tensed up, and almost instantaneously, a layer of white sweat appeared on his skin.

——The mutation has begun!

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

Triss, being a warlock capable of casting stabilization spells.

And Belengar, having witnessed the Cyan Grass Trial many times, coupled with him being the one who personally saw Lann develop the formula for [Big Appetite Energy] in the New Continent, knows the properties of the combined potions.

The two of them closely monitored the progress of the mutation from the room.

Meanwhile, Lann had already stepped out.

As he previously stated, he had great confidence in the properties of [Big Appetite Energy].

Terror Tyrannosaurus, a terrifying creature capable of consuming and digesting the entire ecosystem within an area in just a few months.

The alchemical inspiration derived from this creature, with [Terror Tyrannosaurus Kidney Grind Liquid] as the main ingredient.

The properties of [Big Appetite Energy] are almost excessively strong for ordinary humans.

And there’s no need to even mention Stuart’s resolute will.

At the time when Lann saw this man come before him again after all he had experienced, he could already be certain: almost nothing in this world could torment him anymore.

Stuart’s mutation will succeed.

And Lann was preparing to complete the remaining tasks.

Just as he stepped out the door, he saw Geralt looking over with furrowed brows.

”[Cyan Grass Trial]...an even more idiotic story than the Princess and the Dwarf.”

Before Lann could speak, Geralt shook his head and sighed on his own.

”Even most demon hunters only witness it once—their own mutation. To be honest, when I saw my hair change visibly to this state, I thought I might not make it.”

Geralt tugged at his ponytail tied behind his head, slightly self-deprecating, his milky white hair highlighting a sickly pallor.

During the mutation, Geralt showed great endurance, so the Wolf School performed further experimental modifications on him at that time.

This made him stronger than ordinary demon hunters, but also more painful.

And it made him find it harder to face the Cyan Grass Trial again.

”It doesn’t matter.” Lann calmly said as he walked beside him, ”I brought you here mainly to help calm you down, to be away from the prying eyes, didn’t expect you to provide much support since Belengar is here, the old expert.”

”But now, with the situation at High Hill Castle, to be honest, I might really need your help.”

”That bunch of people targeting here?” Geralt was very perceptive, he realized without much explanation from Lann.

Geralt raised his thumb and pointed behind him.

Behind him was only the stone brick wall of the tower, but the meaning of the gesture was obvious enough.

”Yes, I want you to track these people for me, and by the way, determine if they are from the White Rose Knight Order...though I’m about seventy to eighty percent sure.”

”They certainly understand the demon hunters’ senses and are trying to avoid detection by these senses.”

”But anyway, they can’t thoroughly erase all traces.”

”Help, see how many people are gathered in this small area now, and what method they plan to use against High Hill Castle.”

”That’s not a problem. I’m very unsettled now, wouldn’t be idle anyway.” said Geralt in a hoarse and steady voice, ”But what I’m curious about is, why aren’t you going too? Two people searching is surely faster than one.”

”No, I won’t show up during this period, nor is it suitable to create a big commotion.” Lann opposed Geralt’s suggestion.

He shook his head, and their amber cat eyes met: ”Ciri is being pursued by a mad dog, High Hill Castle is being targeted directly, the wizards are about to hold a high-level meeting...”

”Now, with the situation becoming tense again, don’t you think even if something happens, it all seems too dense, too quick?”

”You mean...?!” Geralt’s stance leaning against the wall with arms crossed was gradually becoming tense.

The frustration he felt from witnessing the [Cyan Grass Trial] again, rapidly turned to disbelief in his eyes.

”These things can’t possibly be connected, can they? Are they?”

”I don’t know if they are or aren’t.” Lann calmly looked at him, ”I just instinctively feel something’s off, further information needs investigating. What you investigate is the first step.”

Turning away, Lann waved his hand to Geralt behind him without looking back.

”Just reconnaissance, regardless of what they do, no need to act, best to remain completely unnoticed.”

”It’s up to you, Geralt.”