As I laid in my bed my remained stuck in that moment. The moment of my complete and utter focus on the floating blue notification window.
The rest of my room seemed to fade into the background, like it didn't seem to matter anymore.
The translucent panel hovered before my eyes was all that mattered. With text that I didn't expect to see.
System Notification: Hidden Conditions Met.
I smirked with amusement as I was genuinely surprised to the window with a sudden quest unlock appeared before me.
But before I could even fully process the message, another window appeared directly beneath it.
System Notification: System Synchronization Complete.
User Synchronization: 100%
System update is complete. Recalibration Time: Not Required
Would you like to review the Patch Notes?
[Yes / No]
I just stared at the window for a long moment, and simply blinked.
What does it mean by synchronization? Had the system been synchronizing with me this entire time?
That raised far more questions than answers. Synchronization, System update, Recalibration Time, and patch notes?
More and more this system makes me feel like I'm in a game then a whole other world.
But now I'm wondering, had it been adapting to me? And the real question is why?
Is it trying to learn from me? Or is it trying to control my progress?
Like its waiting for something to show if I'm to strong or weak? That would explain why during my training over the years the attribute and ability points distributed were less and less. Not to mention the rewards it gives me.
But right now these are all just theories. It's hard to tell what the System or the person behind it is thinking. And I don't like not knowing.
My eyes narrowed back on the quest. I might as well see what my system admin did.
I mentally clicked. "Yes."
The moment I mentally selected the option, dozens of windows unfolded before me one after the other. I almost got overwhelmed with my Witcher senses being hit with to much information at once.
Then the largest window appeared first.
System Patch Notes Version 1.0
Changes Applied:
• True Attribute Balancing.
• Skill Level and Rank Correction.
• Ability Rank Correction.
• Synergy System Activated.
• Evolution System Activated.
• Inventory Stabilization.
• User Synchronization Complete.
Well this is definitely interesting, hard not to think this is a game after seeing this. My attention immediately focused on the first item.
True Attribute Balancing
I selected it, and a new explanation window opened.
True Attribute Balancing: Due to incomplete synchronization with the user, attribute values displayed improperly.
Displayed values did not accurately represent the user's actual physical, mental, and magical capabilities.
Since Synchronization is now complete. All attributes have been recalibrated to their true values.
Previous display error: Attribute decimal values were hidden.
Example: Strength: 100 = 10.0, or 95 = 9.5, or 89 = 8.9.
The decimal display has now been restored. From now on when Attribute Points are used the whole number will be replaced or include a decimal number.
Example: Attribute Points rewarded: +1. +.5
Or 1.5.
All Attributes Points already awarded will remain of the same. But for the Attribute number to raise to the next whole digit 10 Attributes will be needed, unless a whole and point number is awarded.
Any Attribute Points recieved will be saved as reserved points until all points from pre Patch update are used.
I froze after reading that, and then I read it again, and then again for third time.
"...What?"
I stared, and then my eyes widened when the realization hit me.
"What the actual fuck?"
I nearly loss my temper, but then I cold feel my cold blood trait bring back rationalization back to my mind. Not that it got rid of my frustration.
I knew the system wasn't saying I had become weaker. It was fixing the numbers to reflect their actual values.
Basically it was saying I had always been weaker then the numbers said. The numbers had simply been displayed wrong.
This realization hit me like a fist. For years I had been seeing high numbers, and still wondered why I felt not even close to the number it said.
I just thought this world was like Dark Souls level of difficulty. But little did I know I was right, but just not how I thought I was.
I saw ninety-five and thought I was close to one hundred, I thought something cool would happen if I got to tjat number. Like a new ability or skill that would become unlocked.
But come to find out I wasnt even in the double digits in my attributes. And assuming I was approaching some ridiculous superhuman threshold was killing me, and at some point it was gonna get me killed if I overestimated my strength.
But still its kind of frustrating Instead...Ninety-five was actually 9.5.
So one hundred was actually 10.0. I sighed and rubbed both hands over my face.
"This explains so much."
And like that everything suddenly made sense.
The training spars with Callum over the years. The fact Callum could still beat me despite the numerical advantage I believed I had.
His attitudes numbers were probably around the same as mine if not better. Considering he keeps getting stronger in the middle of a fight. It would correct to say they grew as well.
The fact Geralt, Coën, Vesemir and the others still treated us like apprentices wasnt surprising. I wasn't some superhuman monster yet.
But Vesemir did see me and Callum as some of his best students and even said so over the years. So if anything I probably look gifted along with Callum.
And to think after all the blood and sweat I put into my training, I was barely approaching the first major threshold of the double digits.
The realization was both frustrating and exciting, very exciting. Because if ten was only the beginning...Then how high did this system go?
How truly powerful was Geralt and the others really? And how powerful could I become?
A grin slowly formed on my face.
"Okay, that was actually interesting. Now I know that there's levels to the power levels of this world. Next time I wont be surprised."
I then selected the next update.
Skill Levels and Rank Correction: Skill levels progress from Level 1–10. Upon reaching Level 10, a skill has reached the maximum level of its current rank.
Further growth requires Rank Advancement. Which can occur naturally or through overcoming great physical and or mental trial.
Example: Swordsmanship Lv.10 (Common), turns to Intermediate Swordsmanship Lv.1 (Rare). Next is High Swordsmanship Lv.1 (Epic). After that is Master Swordsmanship Lv.1 (Legendary). Next will be Saint Swordsmanship Lv.1 (Mythical). Ending with God of Swordsmanship Lv.1 (Transcendent).
I sat up straighter amazed at what I read.
Now this is interesting and important. The gamer in me immediately came alive.
"So that's how it works."
And with my Swordsmanship was already Level 9. I justed needed one more level and I can advanced to the next skill higher skill and rank, but what does it mean by overcoming a 'great physical and or mental trial.'
I thought for a moment, and the answer seemed obvious. I would have to surpass my current physical limits of the skill or come into a new understanding of it, sometimes both.
Thats easier said then done, but I should focus on reaching the first cap and go from there.
I quickly continued reading.
Synergy System: When specific skills or abilities meet hidden requirements, they may combine.
This process is known as Synergy.
Warning: Original skills or abilities will disappear from the visible skill list. Knowledge, experience, mastery, and effects will be permanently retained.
The resulting skill or ability will possess enhanced capabilities.
I blinked and then reread it.
This was interesting, very interesting. So once a new skill is created from synergy the skill isn't actually lost.
The system simply removed the entry because it had become part of a different skill.
Meaning I could theoretically relearn the original skill, but it just won't reappear.
And the benefits would already remain integrated into the new ability.That sounded incredibly useful.
And incredibly dangerous. If I'm not careful, I could accidentally combine something important before understanding how it worked.
I leaned back in my bed. "So I need to experiment carefully."
This system really wasn't holding my hand. It was giving me tools, but I had to figure out how to use them.
But I have a feeling there's more to it then that.
Finally, I pulled up my updated status sheet.
Status Window:
Name: Cain
Age: 15
Race: Half-Elf (Mutant)
Bloodline Trait: Elder Blood (Legendary)
Class: None
Attributes:
Constitution: 8.9
Strength: 9.2
Dexterity: 9.0
Wisdom: 9.4
Intelligence: 9.5
Charisma: 9.7
Luck: Unknown
Mana: 7.5
-Ability Points: 20
Attribute Points: 10 (Reserve Points:0)
I stared for several moments, and then sighed heavily.
"So this world really is that difficult."
And getting to ten was only the beginning. Meaning everything beyond that became exponentially harder.
I should have been annoyed, but instead I found myself smiling.
A genuine smile.
Good. If becoming powerful was easy, it'd be boring. That last thing I wanted was to gain power to easily. I know at some point I will be push to the brink of death and have to overcome that. And part of me wanted to test my limits to see if I can do that.
I can't tell if I battle crazy or just crazy. Or maybe this us who I always was, and the modern world just changed that part of me deep inside because it wasnt needed. But here inches world slowly that part of me, the boy who wanted to become the strongest in the world has been waking up.
The boy who wanted to be strong, and conquer everything from his enemies to his own weaknesses.
Things really have gotten more interesting. Just you wait system admin.
I then dismissed the interface, as the blue windows I made my self comfortablein my bed.
Tomorrow would be another day of training, and if I knew Vesemir...Tomorrow would hurt.
The next morning arrived before sunrise, and as usual the keep remained quiet.
While most of everyone still slept, I was already awake. After years of Witcher training, my body naturally rose before dawn.
I completed my morning stretches, washed up, and dressed, and then headed directly toward the lower levels of Kaer Morhen keep.
Toward the vault. Well I say vault but its a hidden chamber that had once been an abandoned dungeon cell.
Now it was one of the most important rooms in the keep. I called it the Wolf School's treasury.
We stored anything and everything worth of value down here. I know it the coming years this place needs to be more secure for when the criminal group Salamandra attacks the school led by the Professor. In there attempt to steal the Witchers secret mutagens and potions.
Thats a future I plan on preventing.
As I approach the dungeon cell, a lantern hung from a hook above the entrance. Its light illuminated the shelves lining the walls.
I opened the ledger book at the stand right outside of the vault. Its a system I make us do so we keep track of what we have, and we each take turns taking inventory.
As I opened the book filled with pages of writing and numbers I found the last entry belonged to Vesemir.
And as always the older Witcher had become surprisingly diligent about bookkeeping after I convinced him it mattered.
I took the key from the hidden stone behind the stand and open the vault cell. Inside the vault sat years of the schools accumulated resources and wealth.
Coin. Jewels. Armor. Weapons. Rare metals. Gems, and crystals. Alchemy ingredients. Books.Copied manuscripts. Monster ingredients.Weapon schematics. And Witcher records.
First I checked the latest totals of the keeps coin.
850 Temerian Orens. 703 Redanian Crowns. And 500 Nilfgaardian Florens
I nodded approvingly. The school isnt rich, especially after the repairs to the upkeep of the school, and the renovations I made, which was cheep to buy the materials or easy getting them to the school.
But compared to how things were before I got here. We were significantly better than before.
Years ago after doing the books, and a walk through of Kaer Morhen, I had discovered it was practically lived season to season. Which wasn't surprising from what the books and games told about the keep.
But now we had reserves, actual reserves. But it wasnt easy getting this far.
The older Witchers had hated the idea at first. Especially Lambert, and Geralt hadn't liked it much either.
Neither appreciated being told what to do with their money. And I get it, the last thing I would want is what little money I nearly died getting to be taken away from me.
But when I made showers in the Keep, and fed them better food.
With the help of a somewhat proper food storage.
Then better winter supplies, such as as alcohol we saved for and bought sparring. Along with the larger coin purses they recieved when they set out of the keep when spring arrived.
After all that, their complaints became far less frequent.
I just realized I'm taxing the Witchers and then giving them a tax refund at the end of winter.
I smiled slightly as I continued writing. Ain't that a bitch. Never would I thought I be doing the thing I hated in my past life.
Personally I hate taxes, but our home really needs the help. And money solve alot of problems, but not all of them. But for me a majority of them.
Its also thanks to my other business ventures that we have more money coming in when winter hits and the beginning of Spring comes, or else we would be back in the hole.
Eventually I finished recording inventory. I closed the ledger shut and placed the key back.
Then I headed outside for morning training. As I walked outside the morning air hit immediately.
It was cold and sharp, but always clean. Something small I had learn to appreciate on this life.
The snow had mostly melted from Callum and my constant cleaning efforts. Aside from training, winter was the worst season. Vesemir would make me and Callum use Axii in the cold and heavy snow winds as a form of training.
It was a good thing Spring was coming. The snow had stopped a while ago, and the courtyard stood mostly clear. And standing in the middle of it was Callum. He was Yawning, and clearly just got out of bed, his hair being a clear sign of that.
I immediately frowned. "You beat me here, mr needs a slice of meat to wake up. "
Callum smirked. "Fuck off, Cain."
I laughed. "Didn't think you had it in you."
"If you must know, Coën woke me up."
That immediately caught my attention.
"Why?"
Callum stretched. "Apparently Vesemir has news."
"Did he say what?"
"No, but we'll find out soon enough." Then he paused looking at me."Got food on you?"
I stared for a moment and then sighed. "Of course that's your next question."
Callum grinned. "What can I say I have priorities."
"No, its called being a pig."
Callum placed a hand over his heart. "Oh Cain you wound me. I have higher standardsfor food then that of a pig."
"I doubt that very much."
He gasped dramatically. "Why are you so heartless brother?"
I pointed at him."Says the guy who almost ate raw deer because he skipped one meal."
"You promised not to bring that up."
"I say lots of things. But I never promised not to do that. But I remember you promising not to steal from the keeps pantry and yet you still do."
Callum narrowed his eyes, then they suddenly froze on me with realization.
I just stared at him coldly
"Oh, you know."
"Yes Callum I know, I've known from the beginning."
Callum's eyes widened. "The whole time?"
"Yup."
His shoulders slumped.
"Why didn't you saying anything then?"
"The first week you started sneaking into the pantry. I noticed its was minimal things so, I just been slowly building up the value of the food you ate. "
Callum looked horrified.
I continued.
"Some of that food was supposed to sold or used for my dishes I promised the others if they bring back certain ingredients and coin amounts. So you stole from everyone and affected the keeps money."
His horror deepened.
"Not the money?"
"Every stolen loaf."
Callum looked genuinely betrayed.
"Cain."
"Every missing sausage."
"Cain."
"And every missing pie."
"CAIN."
I stopped folding my arms. "I'm charging you later. Dont worry you can pay it off doing all my chores, and any favors I need down in the future no questions asked."
"That's not fair."
"It absolutely is."
Before Callum could continue protesting, footsteps echoed across the courtyard.
We both turned to see Vesemir approaching. Geralt walked beside him, and Coën on the other side.
And all three Witchers looked serious.That immediately killed any humor between me and Callum.
Then the older Witchers stopped before us, and Vesemir looked between both us.
Then he nodded slowly. "Boys listen up!"
Callum and I straightened immediately. Vesemir folded his arms behind his back.
"Soon you'll both be sixteen."
The courtyard became very quiet, Geralt remained expressionless, and Coën watched carefully.
Then Vesemir continued. "After reviewing your progress over the years...I believe you're ready."
My heartbeat slowed. Ready for what?
Then Vesemir said the words. "To take the Trial of the Mountain."
Callum blinked, andcI felt my pulse quicken slightly, but Vesemir continued.
"In the coming months, when winter fully ends, you both will take the Trial and your apprenticeships will conclude."
My eyes widened slightly and Vesemir nodded.
"You both are ready." His voice remained calm as he continued. "If successful, you'll earn your medallions." Vesemir's expression softened."And become full Witchers of the School of the Wolf."
The moment the words left his mouth, a familiar sound and blue window appeared.
System Notification: Rare Quest Received
Rare Quest: Trial of the Mountain
Objective: Complete the Trial of the Mountain and finish your Witcher training.
Rewards: +1 to All Attributes. Class Unlocked. 2 Rare Equipment Chests
My expression remained completely calm. My Cold Blooded Trait, and years of training helped with that.
But inside I was starting to becoming excited. After everything from waking up in this world and nearly dying, to the years of training, the trial Grasses and Dreams, and the more years of training.
The blood, pain, and all the times I nearly died. The journey was finally reaching its next stage.
Soon I would be able leave Kaer Morhen, and walk the Path.
And soon...I would finally see the world, but not as the weak little elf boy that woke up naked in a alley. But as a fully trained and realized Witcher.