touchnovel Chapter 26 The Library
Chapter 26 The Library
Two days later, it was approaching October.
The Blue Mountains are covered in snow, and the weather is getting colder.
Led by Vesemir, the Witcher apprentice arrived at the second floor of Kael'thas Morhen.
The group remained silent, like leopard cats walking at night, their boots making no sound even as they trod the dark corridor.
In the silence, the only sound was the crackling of the torches burning on both sides.
Vesemir went to the deepest room on the left, took out an old, long-handled brass key from his pocket, inserted it into the rusty iron door, and turned his wrist.
"Click!"
The lock cylinders clattered, and a large hand pressed against the door, giving it a forceful push.
"Squeak!"
The rough iron gate scraped against the floor, making a harsh noise.
"Line up and come in one by one."
Vesemir retrieved the key and went inside first.
The Witcher apprentices filed in.
Alwin first smelled a heavy woody scent, mixed with the stale ink of parchment and a faint smell of dust.
The gray cat's eyes curiously surveyed its surroundings.
The room was much larger than the one in Veris, and was made entirely of gray stone bricks.
Directly in front are three arched vertical windows, through which sunlight streams in and falls on a long wooden table.
There is a passageway in the middle, which is about five meters wide.
Vesemir raised his hand and made the Igni sign.
Six orange-red flames rose up in response.
Alwin's gaze was immediately drawn to it.
On both sides of the passageway, six oil lamps encased in glass were lit.
Under the dim light, there were six separate small rooms.
Inside each room, there are three standing bookshelves against the wall, filled with books.
Alwin glanced at the books and immediately noticed many that interested him.
There are books about monsters like "The Book of Beasts" and "The Book of Birds and Beasts," as well as books about political entities like "The New Account of the Kingdom of Cordwin" and "The Chronicles of Novigrad," and even many books on magic, such as "The Grimoire of Shadows" and "The Power of Elements"...
The sheer number of books made Alwin eager to see them.
This is undoubtedly exciting; they are all priceless treasures.
That's why every room door is locked with an iron gate to prevent outsiders from entering, which also adds to the tense atmosphere.
The apprentices dared not breathe until Vesemir took two items from the third room on the right and walked to the long wooden table.
"Come here, children."
The crowd gathered around, and Vesemir unfolded one of the parchments.
"What is this?"
Brad lowered his voice and spoke.
Vesemir explained, "This is meditation, the foundation for casting mudras, and each of you must learn it."
Excitement shone in everyone's eyes.
Arwen, too, upon hearing that it was a meditation method, had already read it carefully, word by word.
With the ability of [Dual Soul], I finished reading it in a few seconds.
He straightened his sleeves slightly, his brows furrowed, and a sense of doubt arose in his heart.
The entire meditation method in front of me consists of only a few lines, probably less than a hundred words.
The entire text is obscure and difficult to understand. If it weren't for the foundation laid by Veris, it would even seem incoherent and deliberately designed to prevent people from learning it.
As for Veris's "Basic Meditation," it's like he's breaking down food into pieces and feeding it to you, as if afraid you won't understand it.
Another point is that the system did not detect any new skills.
It is clear that the meditation method before us is completely encompassed by the unlocked [Basic Meditation].
He glanced at the apprentices beside him out of the corner of his eye.
Each of them looked troubled.
Paul scratched his head, hesitated, and began, "Master Vesemir..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Vesemir.
"I know what you're going to say, but pay attention. I don't expect you to understand the meaning now, you just need to memorize it, especially the meditation methods at the end, you must know each one."
The serious tone made everyone focus their attention and put away any ulterior motives.
The same goes for Alwin.
Consider it a review to learn something new.
Since I broke through to 1 point of experience in [Basic Meditation], it has taken a full seven days to only increase to 2 points, which is a very slow progress.
No wonder Veris said that even geniuses need to spend a huge amount of time to improve their magic.
An hour later.
Vesemir glanced out the window, surrounded by a cacophony of chatter.
It was the sound of apprentices reciting and correcting each other's mistakes.
As for Arwin, he had no choice but to remain silent in order to avoid breaking off his apprenticeship.
If Paul asked him some questions, he would give a brief answer to his own opinion.
There was no way around it; he really wanted to explain it openly and honestly, but he had already promised Veris that he couldn't share his knowledge with outsiders.
Vesemir turned around, glancing at Arwen out of the corner of his eye, and smiled helplessly.
"How well do you remember everything?"
The noisy scene quieted down.
The apprentices exchanged glances, and Aiken spoke first: "I've already memorized it."
"Me too," Brad said.
"Winston, what about you?"
Winston hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a sheepish grin.
Seeing this, Vesemir nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good. Starting today, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening, you must meditate instead of sleeping. Do you understand?"
"ah?!"
"If we can't sleep, what will happen to the daytime training?"
"This will kill people, Master Vesemir."
The apprentices spread their hands, groaning in pain, hoping that Vesemir would retract his decision.
Vesemir's amber cat-like eyes narrowed, his cold smile tinged with sarcasm.
"die?"
"Heh, as witchers, you'll get used to it."
"I can also tell you that it is now 1228, and in two years, shortly after the autumnal equinox in 1230, the mountain trials will begin."
"Before that, you must successfully meditate, learn the basic hand seals, and gradually reduce your sleep time from four days a week to one day a week, until you pass the mountain trial and become true witchers."
"Think about it carefully. If you don't learn what I'm telling you, how will you cross the 'Killer Lake' filled with water ghosts? How will you pass through the cave of the Cyclops 'Old Spearhead'? And how will you face the troll at the mountaintop?"
"Don't be complacent and think that excellent apprentices like Aiken and Alwin will take care of you and help you through the game."
"In the face of real danger, they too will be unable to protect themselves. You must unite as one to have any chance of reaching the Elemental Ring and obtaining your Wolf Pack badge."
"Did you all understand?"
Vesemir gave a soft shout!
The apprentices then came to their senses; some were apprehensive, while others were excited.
Alwin's hands hung at his sides, his palms slightly clenched, as the images he longed for kept flashing through his mind.
"Two years, there are still two years left."
Only by passing the trials of the mountains can I survive, leave Kaer Mohen, and see this vast world.
"The Northern and Southern Kingdoms, Skellige..."
'Dwarves, elves, dragons...'
"I can definitely do it..."