Chapter 8: Accident

August slowly came to his senses. He finally got out of his stupor. Vincent noticed this and decided to fix it. The whole test was supposed to last 3 days but ended in the middle of the second day. This was a good sign for August, as his body showed good adaptability to mutagenic elixirs. But in the current situation, this is a huge minus.

Vincent, seeing August's early awakening, quickly rushed over and prepared more potions. Now he has to not only find out if the experiment was a success but to see how many elixirs August can withstand, how much longer he can hold. Vincent had already forgotten about the words of Hans, with which he threatened him. Curiosity just eats him alive. He wanted to know how far he could go.

"It's just an experiment, but it'll do," Vincent said to himself as he pumped more and more elixirs into August's veins. But unlike the previous one, this time August's mind was clearer than the previous one.

Augustus said in a hoarse voice, "Stop."

But Vincent looked at him like he was an idiot and said: "Are you kidding, kid? I'm making a revolution. You are the perfect test subject for my experimental elixirs. With your adaptability, you can handle a lot more than these useless kids."

August's emotions were out of control as his voice changed from hoarse to commanding and cruel. His voice turned to that of a demon, and he shouted: "I SAID STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP THIS, I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO TORTURE ME AGAIN", with a powerful blow of magical power, Vincent flew across the room and crashed into the wall.

The entire castle shook, the Witcher necklaces also shook, and all the Witchers began to search the castle. No one knew the reason for this magic that had accumulated here, except for Hans. He somehow felt and knew where to go. He went straight to the laboratory.

When he entered, he saw what had happened. Vincent was pressed against the wall, and August was screaming like he was crazy. But this did not last long. After 10 seconds, August lost consciousness, and Vincent fell.

Vincent stood up and swore, "Stupid child, I'll kill him," but before he could notice, Hans's sword moved on its own. Cutting off his head from his shoulders. Vincent's last expression was one of shock. He saw the blade coming toward him, but he didn't have time to prepare any spell to defend against the Witcher's ruthless blade.

Hans looked at Vincent's dead body and said, "Rest in hell you freak". He untied August and carried him to the room where he used to rest and put him on the bed. He quickly brought some stew and water for August to eat when he woke up.

August slept for another 2 hours and then woke up hungry. He saw some food next to him and ate it in a few minutes, washing it down with 2 litres of water in one go. After that, his whole body hurt again, and he again felt a sudden rush of pain.

Unlike the previous elixirs and herbs, the last one that was administered to August was just an experimental potion and had no time window, nor did anyone know how it worked. Changes have taken place, but he has not yet discovered them. They were not as big as before, but one of the most significant.

August slept for another week in peace. Unlike other elixirs, these mutations did not bring him much pain, or maybe they did, but we will never know since he was simply asleep. But one of the major changes that happened during the mutations that Hans noticed is that his veins turned black for several days before returning to normal.

This could be because of the last potion, which was very toxic and caused the blood to turn black. A week later, August woke up feeling tired and hungry. He wanted to eat so badly that despite his weak body being tortured and still in pain, his fasting for nearly 3 weeks wore off, and he was now willing to do anything for food.

Fortunately. He still remembered where the dining area was and went straight there. His body was not the same as before. His whole body only showed muscles, but they were very thin, he also became 5-10 cm taller. But he looked too thin. His skin looked like it was nothing but bones and a leather pouch that had been carved around his bones.

August arrived at the canteen and ate all the food on his way. He ate until he could stand, and only then did he relax. Without a word, August returned to the room where he had slept and tried to fall asleep again.

But he couldn't. Every time he closes his eyes, he remembers the faces, the faces of the people he saw in his visions. The sights he shouldn't have seen, the horrors Men and Elves made to achieve greatness. To satisfy their greed and pride.

Each time he closed his eyes, he saw rivers of blood flow between the mounds of bodies, how raging swarms destroyed everything in their path and sight. The eyes of those who fell victim to the situation. Victims of a bigger picture, a bigger game than their useless lives.

Eyes that held nothing but despair. All this kept Augustus awake, but he couldn't stop thinking about it. Thinking of people who didn't want bloodshed but were forced to witness and fall into a cruel situation, why should normal people suffer for the ideas of the rulers?

August did not know the answers to these questions but wanted to find out. He wanted to see things behind the curtain; he wanted to see the motives that drive people to do terrible things without caring about any loss. August lay in his bed with his eyes open, staring up at the wooden ceiling. He was in his own thoughts and didn't notice Hans enter the room.

It was already dark, but for August it was not important. He could see as clearly as in daylight, but he didn't notice it yet. He was unaware of his powers; he had yet to find out what he got from the mutation.

Hans stared silently at August, who was strangely staring up at the ceiling with his eyes open, but his pupils were unfocused. Hans noticed a change in his eyes. They seemed different to him. His pupils turned red and cat-like, and his iris changed colour to yellow. His height increased, and his body looked more substantial than before, but at the same time looked much thinner.

Hans watched August for several minutes before making a sound to get August's attention.

Augustus turned to Hans and looked at him. There was no more excitement. He was no longer ecstatic before his eyes shone like 2 candles, but now they seemed far, far from what he had before.

Hans, of course, understood that this was due to the experiment, but he could not imagine what August went through. Unlike other Witchers, none of them possessed magic and none of them had visions that could harm mental health. But for August, it was a different case. He suffered, even if it didn't show on his face.

August looked silently at Hans and did not say a word. August didn't want to trust the man anymore, despite his previous conclusion. This time, August was upset that Hans had not warned him of what awaited him.

Hans was not offended by his behaviour but still said a few words to gain August's trust back. "I killed Vincent."

But, contrary to Hans's expectations, August's face did not change, only his pupil narrowed, that's all. August nodded his head and lay down on the bed again.

Hans, looking at this, could not understand what changes Vincent's crazy experiment had brought. So he said again "August, you went through a terrible experience, but all of us Witchers have gone through it, so try to overcome it and grow. From now on, I'll be your teacher, but for now, relax. If you want to do something, just ask."

Hans turned to leave, and had already opened the door when he heard a hoarse voice saying just one word, "Books." Hans turned around with a slight smile that could be rarely seen. He left and brought some books to August, but since none of the Witchers were huge readers, they only had books on magic, elixirs and beasts, so he brought them.

Leaving August alone, Hans left. But for August it was a precious gift, because of his dreams that kept him awake, the only thing he could do was read, read, even if he didn't understand, just read to forget even for a second. The books helped him to relax and maybe get some sleep until he woke up in a cold sweat from his dreams.

A week passed, and August turned into a nerd. He read books all the time. Hans gave him a week to relax and take a break from everything he had experienced. He also needed this time to allow his body to recover from the stress he had to endure.

It was winter outside. It is February 1169, the winter is ending, and soon some Witchers will set out on their journey. Only teachers and children who will train will remain.

Hans walked up to the room where August was staying and entered without knocking, as always, August was covered in books. He still could barely read some text, but he tried to learn everything. Hans cleared his throat to gain his attention. August turned to him. Unlike last time, there was no coldness in his eyes, but they were deprived of any emotions, just neutral. Hans ignored this and said,

"Tomorrow we will begin your Witcher training. In the morning, I will give you various herbal teas that will allow you to train longer and stimulate muscle growth, so be ready. We start at 6 am and take a 2-hour break during the day. Your daily workout will be until 8 pm." Having said this, Hans turned and walked away, leaving August to think about his training.

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