Bear School Astartes

This hesitation and doubt didn't linger long in Lann's mind.

The young Demon Hunter shrugged his shoulders and directly pushed open the tavern's door.

Perhaps it was because the tavern, in recent months, had entertained quite a few distinguished guests it usually wouldn't have the chance to, earning the tavern owner a tidy sum.

When Lann first came, the door was made of loosely fitted planks leaking air, now it had been replaced with a solid, heavy wooden door.

"A bottle of rye vodka, chilled, no water."

Lann greeted the bartender, who was wiping glasses behind the counter, while heading towards a table by the window in the tavern.

Even though it was the winter season, with few travelers, Dark Water was at least one of the few villages around Vizima Lake with passenger boat routes to the Capital Vizima.

So merchants wearing simple cloth caps, tight clothes, and cheap furs, and even minstrels who still stuck various brightly colored bird feathers in their hats during winter, along with local villagers taking a break, still made the tavern buzz with excitement.

On the wooden walls of the tavern hung dry yet still colorful garlands and flower chains, indicating their faith in Meretelli. The warm tone of candlelight, the steaming aroma of food, and the scent of wine gave a warm and reassuring feeling.

The minstrel's singing and people's conversations made Lann's entrance hardly noticeable.

At the table by the window, a red-haired woman, still dressed lightly in winter, accentuating her lovely figure, was sitting with her back to Lann.

As Lann approached, the pendant on his neck started to sway. He could determine that this woman definitely had a magic talisman allowing her to wear such beautiful clothes and keep warm even in winter.

Belengar, sitting across from her, was half-heartedly listening to her talk, mainly playing with the roasted fish on his plate with a spoon out of boredom.

As the sound of heavy armor approached, the Old Demon Hunter only glanced up alertly.

Then, that expression of boredom and entrapment suddenly bloomed into a smile.

"Aha!"

"Look! Look! Our great hero has returned."

The woman across from Belengar spun around suddenly, with so much force that the bench beneath her tilted.

The red hair draped over her face settled after a toss, not blocking the exquisite face that held both the allure of a woman and the vigor of a girl.

Triss Merigold, advisor to the Temerian Royal Family, a rising political star of Vizima.

She was casually chatting with Belengar but her expression was much like the Old Demon Hunter's.

A female Warlock with political ambitions, hoping to achieve them through her effort and influence. An Old Demon Hunter who left the profession because of his fear of fighting.

They inherently had no common topics, and even just considering age, there should have been several generation gaps between them.

It was only because of their mutual friend that they regularly sat together.

If Lann were to describe the awkward atmosphere—

'Your good friend brings along a person you don't know, their friend. And when the three of you are playing together, your friend goes to the bathroom...'

It sounds extremely uncomfortable, just listening to it.

For Belengar—Lann's arrival saved everything!

"Oh! My dear Belengar, if you tease me again, I'll use this boot to kick your butt hard!"

The young man spread his hands, smiled somewhat awkwardly at the red-haired female Warlock, then spoke to Belengar with exaggerated intonation.

The Old Demon Hunter's mouth drooped immediately, like a bulldog.

The enthusiastic stance to greet him had already sat back down midway.

"Did you visit a world of poetry this time? Even the minstrels singing love poems aren't as sickly sweet as you just were, damn, I got goosebumps!"

Lann stepped over the bench and carefully sat beside Triss. The female Warlock's gaze had been fixed on him since she found him.

"Ahem, um. It's been an adjustment. I went somewhere to specifically study language this time. It's normal for me to overdo it while switching language habits."

"That would be best, otherwise I'd have to shiver thrice just speaking a word to you."

Belengar's long face sized Lann up from top to bottom, confirming that this guy hadn't lost an arm or leg, and laughed.

His armor seemed to have just been professionally cleaned and maintained, showing that he was doing quite well even in another world.

His body had grown stronger, his height was probably nearing one meter ninety-five.

Even considering his age, this was growing too fast.

Because he wasn't just growing taller; his whole body's muscle dimension was proportionally increasing as well.

For every centimeter of height, several pounds of muscle and bone mass were added!

In Belengar's expert blacksmithing view, Lann's armor was starting to feel a bit restrictive.

The Old Demon Hunter looked at the female Warlock's gaze at Lann, gulped down the drink in his cup.

Tsk, now's not the time for an outsider to be around.

"It's getting late, I should go back..."

The Old Demon Hunter deemed himself to have tact, as when Lann first returned from another world, he had behaved well.

As a result, he earned himself a room in this tavern with a two-year lease.

Not to say the principal of Airetusa wasn't wealthy!

Otherwise, how could a Mutant with no stable income be waiting in this village?

But this time, before Belengar could finish, Triss sitting next to Lann interrupted him first.

"It's still midday, Belengar."

While she spoke, Triss's eyes remained fixed on Lann's profile.

"Is this how you handled Margaret last time?"

After saying this, she moved her eyes away with a faint smile.

Belengar scratched his chin and awkwardly sat back down on the bench.

"Oh, was I a bit too... forward?"

"Use a declarative sentence, Belengar."

"Understood, I was presumptuous."

Only then did Triss nod with satisfaction.

"You don't need to worry either, Lann. I'm not going to eat you, nor am I going to bed you, I saw your ears turn red just now."

"Margaret is a good friend of Yennefer, and I'm also a good friend of Yennefer. If you've confirmed your relationship with her, I'll tactfully keep my distance... at least until you two officially break up."

"Although Veltrest implied that he hoped I could maintain some relationship beyond friendship with you, but... to hell with Veltrest! Who does he think I am? A street woman?"

"If he wants to use bodily pleasure to get close to you, why doesn't he send his daughter? Damn!"

The female Warlock spoke with great certainty.

To be honest, her mature yet lively demeanor made even her cursing pleasing to the eye.

Belengar subtly curled his lips, indicating he had never seen a situation where nothing happened under such passionate gazes.

But the simple-minded newbie Mr. Lan, whose initially somewhat awkward sitting posture suddenly relaxed.

The Old Demon Hunter watched in surprise.

No way... you really believed what she said!?

You really are a rookie!