Witcher: The Half Elf

Upon hearing the news, Wayne was momentarily stunned. His mind quickly began racing with various speculations.

As a member of the Supreme Council of Sorcerers, Tissaia de Vries was an iconic figure.

At over 500 years old, she had served as the headmistress of Aretuza for more than two centuries, producing generations of accomplished sorceresses. Her influence on the northern magical community was unparalleled.

The current headmistress, Margarita Laux-Antille, had herself risen to prominence under Tissaia's guidance, a testament to the latter's enduring legacy. Tissaia was regarded as one of the most authoritative and knowledgeable individuals among northern mages. Her influence extended even to controversial reforms, such as advocating for the surgical removal of a sorceress's uterus to stabilize their spellcasting abilities. Though this procedure rendered sorceresses infertile, it reduced spellcasting fatalities by over 60%, cementing its place as a transformative advancement in northern magical practices.

For a figure as esteemed as Tissaia, even Wayne understood the importance of showing due respect.

The topic of the meeting—concerning the newly revived Witcher Order—only heightened the importance of this interaction.

What Wayne couldn't immediately ascertain, however, was whether Tissaia was acting independently or representing the broader interests of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers. Moreover, whether this exchange would ultimately benefit or threaten the Witcher Order remained unclear.

Despite these uncertainties, Wayne didn't let them weigh heavily on him. He knew Kaer Morhen's formidable defenses and his own strength would make it difficult for any adversary, even the Brotherhood, to pose a significant threat.

The limitations of mages in the Witcher world were well-known. Despite their potent magic, they were still bound by the fragility of mortal bodies—a dagger could end even the strongest sorcerer. Their spells often came with constraints, requiring extensive casting times or rare and costly components.

Furthermore, armed with equipment made of dimeritium even ordinary soldiers could pose a threat to mages. For witchers, whose combat skills far surpassed those of average humans, hunting mages was more than feasible—it was almost routine. This dynamic was likely a contributing factor to the historic enmity between the Witcher Orders and the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, which had culminated in the decline of the witchers through political machinations and treachery.

The meeting would take place in Triss's room at Aretuza.

The attendees were an impressive group: Margarita Laux-Antille, Triss Merigold, Francesca Findabair, Tissaia de Vries, and Wayne himself.

Four sorceresses and a witcher.

It's intriguing to note that, based on the gathering alone, aside from Tissaia herself, everyone else was essentially allied with Wayne. In other words, the circle of mages was relatively small, especially among the elites. Over the years, Wayne had managed to form connections with many of them.

If the mages of the Witcher Order and the dozen or so sorcerers who had pledged allegiance to him were included, Wayne's collective influence among spellcasters could already rival a significant faction within the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Wayne."

"I've heard Margarita and Triss speak highly of you on many occasions. Both regard you as an exceptional witcher—not only formidable in strength but also noble in character."

"I've long wanted to have a conversation with you."

Tissaia's dignified and refined appearance gave her the aura of an esteemed professor in her thirties, radiating intellectual grace and wisdom.

Faced with her compliments, Wayne responded appropriately. Though he had never formally studied the intricate etiquette of medieval nobility, his excellent demeanor, confident posture, and natural charisma exuded the elegance of high-born grace in every movement and word.

"Nice to meet you as well, Lady Tissaia," Wayne said with a courteous nod.

"When Lady Francesca informed me that you wished to speak with me, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. It is truly an honor to hear the thoughts of someone as learned and wise as yourself."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two seemed to develop a mutual respect. Wayne noted Tissaia's surprisingly warm demeanor. Despite her position as a high-ranking member of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, she carried herself with genuine kindness, her words and actions devoid of arrogance or condescension.

Both Margarita and Triss displayed visible respect for their mentor, and Francesca—Tissaia's closest ally in the Brotherhood—seemed to enjoy the meeting's cordial tone. Tissaia was well-known for her mild stance toward non-human races, frequently supporting Francesca in advocating for their rights within the council. In many ways, she was considered an ally of Francesca and, by extension, Wayne.

With the support of such individuals, the atmosphere throughout the conversation remained harmonious.

Wayne, Tissaia, and the others savored the exquisite dishes he had personally prepared while exchanging lighthearted stories and intriguing anecdotes. However, as the conversation progressed, the discussion naturally transitioned to the central purpose of their meeting.

"That's right, Wayne," Tissaia said, setting her goblet down gently. "You must have heard about the Kingdom of Kovind. If I recall correctly, three years ago, Keira Metz participated in the bounty competition there. It was under your protection that Margarita was able to investigate the mysterious fog."

"It was only through your efforts that Margarita uncovered the conspiracy involving the malevolent deity from another world. Her report to the Brotherhood helped us mitigate the damage before the situation escalated further."

"On behalf of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, I wish to extend our gratitude to you for your actions."

Faced with the esteemed mentor's praise, Wayne responded with characteristic humility.

"I simply fulfilled my duty as a bodyguard, ensuring the safety of my employer," Wayne replied humbly. "Besides, Margarita and Ms. Keira are both dear friends of mine."

Tissaia nodded approvingly, a warm smile gracing her lips.

"You carry the spirit of a true witcher, Wayne," she said.

"When the Witcher Orders were first founded, their primary mission was to protect humanity from the threat of monsters. It is a code that all witchers once lived by."

Her expression grew more thoughtful as she continued, "The reason I requested this meeting with you is that I've heard of your efforts to reestablish a new Witcher Order."

"Currently, the North is plagued by rampant monsters, and the situation is further complicated by the presence of fallen sorcerers, who endanger the lives of civilians with their dark practices."

Tissaia leaned forward slightly, her tone earnest. "Perhaps this new Witcher Order could establish a cooperative relationship with the Brotherhood of Sorcerers. Together, we could address the escalating threat posed by these creatures from other worlds."

"You and your order are unparalleled in the art of hunting monsters. When it comes to tracking and eliminating otherworldly horrors lurking in the wilderness, you possess expertise that we sorcerers cannot match."

She paused for a moment, her gaze steady. "Wayne, when the cursed fog enveloped the Kingdom of Kaedwen, it was you who ventured into that perilous realm and personally faced those abominations from another world."

"You understand better than most how truly malevolent and formidable these creatures are. If left unchecked to grow stronger and multiply in the wild, they could pose an unimaginable threat to every living being in our world."