Bear School Astartes

When they arrived in Brugge, Lann and Vesemir had to part ways.

Lann would head directly northwest from here, back to Airetusa Academy, where he had received two letters from the academy messenger.

One was from Margaret, and the other was written by Belengar.

He had been temporarily called by the academy to serve as a technical advisor for Valerian Steel, and his opinions would greatly influence the commercialization process of Valerian Steel.

He was grateful for Lann's gesture of sharing the shares with him; he had never understood things like 'commercialization' or 'commercialization' himself.

With this technology in his hands, at most, it could become the signature product of a blacksmith shop, if lucky.

Lann was practically giving him half of his golden mountain.

"It's a pity that I can't take you to Ker Morhan right now. Codwin's winter is very cold, and Ker Morhan is always snowbound every winter. Going in there now would just be asking for trouble."

Vesemir said with some regret at their parting.

"How about I give you a map? No, that won't do. Ker Morhan's location is too secluded, a simple map wouldn't be of much help."

Lann wasn't particularly regretful, as he hadn't expected to be able to enter Ker Morhan this time anyway.

After all, traveling from Brugge to Codwin, even without any disruptions, would take at least one or two months on foot.

The time the Lady of the Lake hinted to him wasn't that generous.

"Don't worry, Vesemir. When I go to Ker Morhan, I'll have Belengar show me the way. Just let the rest of the Wolf clan know not to mistake me for a thief or bandit entering the castle... Remember that guy? He said he's been out for a while now."

"Belengar?"

Lann hadn't gone into detail about how he was recommended to study with the Wolf clan while on the road with Bryan through the forest, at least not mentioning Belengar's name.

The old Demon Hunter furrowed his brows slightly, his eyes searching through long-buried memories. Then his brows relaxed, and his mouth unknowingly formed an 'O'.

"That rascal is still alive?! Haha! I thought he had died in some filthy ditch somewhere!"

After hearing Lann's introduction to this profession oriented yet awkwardly skilled Wolf clan Demon Hunter, Vesemir did not get angry.

He had experienced too much in his lifetime; a Demon Hunter shying away from work to earn a living as a laborer viewed neither as exaggerated nor bizarre in his eyes.

It was even quite understandable.

"I could already see during his time at Ker Morhan that he was never one to embrace the sword. Even those who hated training still found joy in swinging the sword, but Belengar loathed it throughout. Such a mentality can't be trained away. I thought he'd surely die during some mission, but it seems living as a laborer isn't too bad after all."

Vesemir laughed heartily.

"Let him bring you there, Lann. I promise, whoever remains at the castle, you'll be treated as companions of the Wolf clan. If we're not around, let him host you as a proper host."

Lann looked at the old Demon Hunter, who had grown significantly quieter since Geralt's departure, and chuckled softly.

"That's a whole castle, along with Demon Hunter resources and knowledge. You're very generous, Vesemir."

"Things are meant to be used. Having more Demon Hunters apply these old relics is better than letting them rot."

"Then I'll just say this: I won't stand on ceremony. Goodbye, Vesemir."

"Goodbye, child. I hope when you arrive at Ker Morhan, I'll happen to be free there. I have a fine vintage from the East of East, and we can uncork it together then."

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

When Vesemir left Brugge, he had a military-grade crossbow on his back.

It was the old Demon Hunter's way of adapting to the new era. If it felt good to use, he intended to incorporate it into Wolf clan's combat protocol.

And having earned the old Demon Hunter's approval and witnessed the opening of knowledge at Ker Morhan, the young Demon Hunter also embarked on his journey back to Temeria.

The return trip was much uneventful compared to the initial journey, as traveling from Brugge back to Velen always meant sticking close to Brokilon.

Lann estimated that his reputation among the Dryads couldn't make him a "friend," but at least a "familiar."

This allowed him to tread paths faster and more efficiently than peddlers and traders who dared not go too close to the forest.

When he saw the golden rooster-shaped weather vane atop the Gos Velen City Hall again, the salty cold wind from the sea was prompting everyone on the street to wrap themselves tightly in their clothes.

Even their heads were lowered to cover the gaps on their necks with their chins.

The city gate guards, once gossiping about Lann counting his city entry tax money meticulously, were now mostly shrunken into lethargy, huddled at their stations.

Only when there was a clink in the cashbox would they bother to look up for a moment.

Lann, unfazed, walked along Kado Street into the depths of the city.

On the way, he passed by the Giancardi Bank, the Dwarf Bank within Gos Velen City.

The Dwarves had made quite some achievements in banking. They accurately identified the rich Warlock resources in Gos Velen.

These supernatural power holders, often capable of achieving results beyond the times, never seemed to lack money.

The banking sector absolutely loved such clients, so Giancardi Bank was renowned even amongst other Dwarf banks.

Today, by coincidence, Giancardi Bank seemed to be handling some big business.

The usually bustling bank entrance was now like a ceremonial platform, surrounded by a crowd of people.

Most were dressed in tight silk garments and puffed sleeves, with hats adorned lavishly and worn at an angle on their heads.

Lann had seen such people when he first arrived in Gos Velen—they were accomplished merchants.

And these merchants, who typically required exclusive lounges inside the bank, were now standing out in the cold sea breeze at the bank's entrance, some sneezing and sniffling, yet none showed any dissatisfaction.

Instead, there was an eager, excited look on their faces.

To put it plainly... Lann thought they resembled dogs eagerly awaiting bones.

A new loan service? Or some financial product?

The young man mused casually.

The Dwarves' financial methods were far ahead, propelling the global financial ideology far ahead.

For instance, in Novigrad, Vivaldi Bank had engaged in futures trading for a long time.

To establish such a huge presence in the non-human-race-hostile North meant that they had thoroughly outperformed human financial experts.

And in the southern Niflgaard Empire, it was said that Merchant Guilds' influence could even make the emperor compromise, formulating tariffs for them, and even altering war strategies for their benefit.

Money.

Money has always been one of the most potent forces in many worlds.

Even among self-proclaimed high-class wealthy people, gathered together, there would still be whispering akin to flies swarming around.

The whispers were filled with desire, excitement, and the cold sea breeze had no deterrent at all against this fervent atmosphere.

Lann rode Bopai, attempting to slip through the edge of the crowd.

He wasn't looking to join in the commotion, it was just that these merchants had nearly blocked the whole road.

But as he was about to pass by the crowd from the outside...

"Lann?! Is that Lann?"

A surprised female voice came from the crowd.

Then she struggled to push through the gathered people, making her way to the front of Bopai.

It was Philixia, the apprentice who did odd jobs in the crystal cultivation project team.

By the way, this apprentice was also good at hairstyling.

Lann, still on horseback, watched with a bewildered look as the surprised female sorcerer apprentice looked him over and then suddenly frowned.

She seemed to have made a sudden decision.

"We still have time!"

She pulled out a razor from her waist bag.

"Quickly, Lann. Let me tidy you up a bit, and then you can go on stage and sign!"

Philixia later recalled that she really liked something Lann said at that moment.

——"Huh?"