Chapter 108: Ace is Excited to Learn Magic
On the city wall, Lann looked at the crowd of praying refugees in the distance and the corners of his mouth continued to twitch. 'That girl... wasn't she the one I rescued when I just arrived in Cintra? Why did she become like this?'
"Ah!" A refugee who was praying suddenly exclaimed loudly. "I heard the roar of a lion. Just when I finished praying, I heard it!"
The crowd was in an uproar, and everyone carefully distanced themselves from the refugee, with envy on their faces. However, the girl under the Three Lions flag strode forward excitedly, and the crowd automatically opened a path for him.
"He heard the lion's roar!" The girl patted the refugee's shoulders and chest vigorously, her eyes filled with relief. Then she raised the refugee's hand and led him to look around and enjoy the gazes around him. " He heard the lion's roar! The lion recognized him! The lion looked at him!"
Not far away, the corner of Lann's mouth twitched even more. 'It's true that I'm watching you, but I didn't roar. Even if I roar, it's impossible for only one person to hear it...'
The girl did not realize that the person she was praying to was looking at her in a real sense. She continued to appeal loudly to the people around her. "Let us say a last morning prayer and then contribute our strength to the reconstruction of Cintra!"
The crowd became even more excited. Several city guards, patrolling in the distance, not only showed no distrust in their gazes, but even seemed to approve.
Amid the exciting murmur of prayers, Lann felt a concentrated gaze on his back. He knew he was Mousesack.
The old Druid listened to the prayers in the field and looked at Lann's heroic back, suddenly feeling a sense of unreality.
"Lann, I have to say..." Mousesack considered his words. "You surprised me a lot. This is not something that ordinary people can achieve... I have witnessed many wars in my travels across the continent, but they are the most hopeful and harmonious refugees I have seen in hundreds of years."
Meanwhile, Lann saw a young refugee carrying the luggage of women and children, while the young leader was also inviting several newly arrived children to the temporary shelter place.
[Task completed: Homeless!]
[Character level increased by +1!]
This was a task that the city guards had not yet spared their time to solve. Unexpectedly, they solved it first.
The upgrade brought an increase in basic attributes. Lann took a deep breath as she felt her body suddenly strengthen, which also attracted Mousesack's surprised gaze.
In the old druid's perception, the aura of the young man in front of him suddenly increased. Although it was only a subtle change, it was a real improvement.
The crowd praying, the strengthening of Lann, all of this led the druid to suddenly consider a possibility. His pupils contracted abruptly.
Lann explained to Mousesack. "Actually, their current status is still good for us, right? We just need to monitor them strictly and guide them well."
"After all, this kind of group is easily manipulated by extreme emotions to do unexpected things... Hmm? Uncle Mousesack?"
Lann's voice gradually faded as he finally noticed Mousesack's emotionally complex gaze.
The old Druid smiled and shook his head and said: "I'm fine. You are right. Just do it according to your own ideas, Lann."
After speaking, Mousesack turned around and left without waiting for Lann to answer. He has to continue doing his own thing, and some emotions need some time to calm down.
Lann frowned in confusion. Before he could understand the other party's strangeness, he suddenly noticed that his attendant suddenly appeared at the edge of his vision. "Ace!"
Ace bowed respectfully as he heard his lord's voice.
"Come to my study."
...
Lord's Mansion, in the study.
Lann looked at Ace and asked: "Are you ready for what comes next?"
Ace nodded: "I will do my best to learn magic, my lord.!
Ace's words were firm, but Lann knew that there was some reluctance in his heart.
On the mainland, orthodox-born nobles don't actually think highly of mages.
Many noble ladies when making derogatory comments usually refer to prostitutes or sorceresses, lumping both together in their conversations.
Of course, that doesn't make sense. But just as some are prejudiced against witchers, in the aristocracy, these opinions are ingrained to a certain extent.
Much less someone like Ace, born into a family of knights in Cintra, educated from a young age in the supremacy of the sword. For him, charging at the enemy with a sword is worth more than standing behind casting spells without honor.
Of course, he understands that mages can have power beyond knights. However, he is like most people in modern society who know that some 'professions' make more money but prefer not to do them, out of pride...
Of course, perceptions can change with experience.
Lann now wants to artificially change Ace's concept.
Lann approached Ace and looked him straight in the eyes and said: "Ace, this is a very important mission. I have never told anyone else, but now I have decided to tell you. The fall of Cintra is related to certain mages. "
"I need someone I absolutely trust to delve deeper into the community of mages. Before you appeared, I never thought that my plan could be achieved..."
Nobody knew what Lann and Ace talked about in the study, only Geralt, who was passing by on the ground floor, suddenly heard a loud scream that surprised him.
"For Cintra! For Lannister! For the Lord!!!"
...
Early morning of the second day, Lannister Mansion Garden.
Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer stood aside. Geralt looked uncomfortable and Ciri stared at Triss.
Triss was saying goodbye to Lann, and behind her stood Ace.
The red-haired sorceress had restored her appearance, once again being striking and beautiful like fire. She held Lann's hand sincerely and said: "Lann, don't worry."
"The Northern Kingdoms and the sorcerers will not ignore Nilfgaard, I will do everything I can to gain support for Cintra."
"You don't have to worry about Ace. Although Aretuza only recruits female students, I know a lot of mages. Some of them are happy to recruit assistants with magical talents. Ace may even receive better teaching than at Academy."
Ace, who was listening attentively, suddenly glowed with excitement. A magic academy just for women? He realized that now he didn't dislike the idea of learning magic as much.
Lann shook his head: "I heard that there is an academy that specializes in training sorcerers. It seems to be called Ban Ard Academy?"
Ace: "..."
Triss became a little uncomfortable. "Yes, there is, but I'm not familiar with the sorcerers there, and Ban Ard's reputation is not the best..."
Lann nodded to express his understanding. "I understand. Speaking of which, I seem to often hear the name of a male warlock. It seems to be... Vilgefortz?"
"It must be that name, such a famous sorcerer must have great power, do you accept apprentices or assistants?"
Triss smiled and said: "Vilgefortz is the youngest and most promising member of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers."
"He led the battle of Sodden Hill. Speaking of which, he has always been very concerned about the situation of the Northern War and has been friendly with Cintra. I will see if he is willing to help you."
Lann thanked her. "I'm sorry to trouble you, Triss."
Yennefer looked strangely at Triss and then at Ciri, who was staring at her friend. She showed a smile that was somewhere between worried and mocking.
After saying goodbye, Triss looked closely into Lann's lion eyes, then stepped forward and hugged him tightly, squeezing him tightly with her arms.
Lann watched as something soft and spongy pressed against him, and he regretted putting on the armor at that moment.
Triss whispered in Lann's ear: "Don't worry, Lann, nothing will happen to Cintra. I will do my best to help Cintra and help you."
The portal opened in midair, and the fiery red-haired sorceress and Ace disappeared in an instant.
Lann was still remembering the hug when he heard familiar footsteps, followed by a familiar scent, and then felt the familiar impact on his chest, pushing him back two steps.
Ciri seemed to be in a competition, squeezing her arms with all her might, even if she hurt herself with the armor.
Ciri whispered: "You must come to see me often."
Mousesack watched with a smile, nodding pleased.
"Ms. Yennefer, Ciri will be counting on you from now on." Lann caressed Ciri's head while she was still in his embrace, entrusting her to the sorceress alongside Geralt.
Yennefer nodded in response, opening a portal with both hands and carrying Ciri and a serious-looking Geralt inside.
After seeing off everyone, the Lannister mansion became considerably quieter.
After several days, the situation around Brokilon Town had mostly stabilized. Lann planned to further clear the surrounding areas of dangers, recruit soldiers among the refugees to reinforce his military force and establish a more stable defense line. According to his previous plan, he would patiently wait for the right moment to launch a counterattack.
In the process, he would also have time to visit Kaer Seren and find Jerome, strengthen their bonds, and learn more about the abilities of the witchers. Although he had now mastered the use of the Signs, the Griffin School still had a lot of knowledge that his system could not provide, such as potion making, the use of various mutagens, and knowledge about different monsters.
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