Bear School Astartes

Lann was riding Bopai, who hadn't been seen for quite a while, walking alongside Margaret on the dirt roads of Velen.

Right now, he's only carrying the Lady of the Lake's Sword on his back, though the Bear School Steel Sword merely has a small nick.

However, in high-intensity sword duels, such a small nick can become a fatal flaw. Lann left the sword at the Dark Waters, entrusted to Belengar for safekeeping and repair.

"Wouldn't the Lady of the Lake be angry that you so easily swapped the scabbard of Aron Dite?"

Margaret swayed with the stride of the horse beneath her, teasing Lann.

When the Lady of the Lake bestowed this elegant longsword, it came with a wooden scabbard adorned with gold and inlaid with small pearls.

But Lann and Margaret just came from that small fishing village in Auridon, and Lann's scabbard had turned into a simple fishskin-covered wooden one.

While the attentive craftsmanship is evident in its precise corners, its value certainly dropped tenfold compared to before.

"The lady is the embodiment of the knight's five virtues, not so small-minded. Besides..."

Riding on Bopai, Lann's silver hair fluttered in the wind of Velen, just like his carefree mood.

"This scabbard is a gift from friends, more precious than any gold and silver."

Lann arrived with only one sword, making the villagers think he was in trouble. But they also knew they couldn't craft a fine sword here to help him.

So a group of them cobbled together, rushing around, and despite Lann's protests, managed to make him a scabbard, just like before.

The fishskin was Bernie's latest catch, the stitching was Lady Donna's needlework, the fine hardwood was brought out by Old Allen, and the scabbard's craftsmanship was hurriedly done by the village blacksmith in three hours.

These things weren't worth much locally in Velen, but they were painstakingly assembled by Lann's friends in Auridon village.

When the villagers presented this scabbard to Lann, he had no hesitation in swapping out the exquisite one gifted by the Lady of the Lake.

Putting the refined and noble Aron Dite into an unremarkable scabbard.

It was as if the gold and pearls on the original scabbard were mere stones on the ground.

Perhaps to him, those things didn't compare to the heartfelt gratitude that brought him comfort.

Margaret spent half a day with him in that dilapidated little fishing village, smiling as she watched a Demon Hunter who killed Count Steza interact with a group of Velen fishermen.

Saying goodbye to the villagers, she looked at Lann with even more tenderness.

The two journeyed across the treacherous Velen Land. In days past, when facing hordes of Water Ghosts, the Demon Hunter had to be cautious of breaking them one by one, now he could break through a count's heavily guarded manor.

Moreover, there was now a Female Warlock Dean by his side.

Going out in Velen, which was akin to gambling one's life, was no longer considered dangerous for the two of them.

Upon returning to Gos Velen, Lann smoothly entered Airetusa led by Margaret.

"Welcome, Demon Hunter. Welcome back to Airetusa."

Tishaya, the former Dean of Airetusa, now also the Great Mage supporting the academy, personally greeted them after they crossed the long bridge before the academy and entered the palace doors.

This Great Mage, who had lived at least four or five hundred years, still maintained her symmetrical attire, along with her delicate yet rigid face.

"I am flattered, my mentor." Margaret said with a cheeky smile as she walked beside Tishaya. "I've never had such treatment upon returning before."

"That's why I said 'Welcome, Demon Hunter,' and not 'Welcome to our current Dean who went out without due notice.'

Tishaya's gaze didn't even sway towards Margaret beside her.

Lann smiled while greeting the Great Mage, and she responded gracefully and elegantly.

Tishaya returned the greeting while still teasing her student.

"Thanks to you, the entire North knows about your conflict with Merigold, allowing you to be treated as a 'neutral unit.' Although they don't yet understand the roots of your conflict as clearly as Veltrest, it's inevitable they'll find out."

Saying this, Tishaya looked at the 'source of conflict' with silver hair and cat eyes, an unnoticed fleeting moment of distraction appeared on her face.

Though she had seen Lann's current appearance in images, meeting him in person...if this Demon Hunter's achievements weren't inflated, he indeed was enticingly terrifying.

"Alright, Rita. Don't leave our guest standing at the door; it's quite rude."

Holding both hands in front of her belly, Tishaya turned to lead the two through the luxurious and extended corridor, heading towards the upper levels of Airetusa.

In this vast castle, the trio's presence caught the attention of students passing by.

Two beautiful deans, and a Demon Hunter, recent talk of the town known for his strong desires.

Such scenes sparked off-color jokes among the energetic, life-monotone Female Sorcerer Apprentices, making the attentive young Mr. Lan feel uneasy.

Only at the Dean's office door did he manage to adjust his facial expression.

Upon entering and taking seat, Tishaya naturally sat in the dean's chair, while Margaret lay leisurely on the wool chaise longue.

"Please sit."

Tishaya gestured to the guest seat across the desk for Lann.

"I've heard your intentions from Rita, but I still can't help but feel...a bit sudden."

"To be honest, Airetusa's initial investment in you was primarily to increase the academy's deterrence or acquire a high-caliber warrior for long-term collaboration."

"But your performance that night in Vizima completely exceeded our expectations, not just by a little, but far beyond."

Margaret, lazily raising her hand from the chaise, expressed discontent.

"Tishaya! Do you mean I don't have deterrence? I can handle both Merigold and Philippa!"

Lann's lips twitched...why won't you let go of Triss?

"Indeed, our dean can handle two renowned female warlocks, which is impressive. But even if you're twice as powerful, you can't affect the entire continent's magic barrier gold price!"

Tishaya spoke calmly, stifling Margaret directly.

Lann listened to this topic cluelessly, as he hadn't caught up on this news since his return.

Tishaya tidied slightly asymmetric puff sleeves, giving the Demon Hunter a brief introduction.

"Since you completed that major task half a month ago, Kovir's orders for magic barrier gold have been skyrocketing daily. Guard squads across various kingdoms are urgently purchasing, causing major market fluctuations. Numerous wild mages have been recruited, either enlisted directly or becoming sparring partners. Lann..."

Tishaya's rational and calm gaze met with Lann's, as if stating an indisputable natural law.

"Your handling of Steza terrified them."