Chapter 2:

"The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind." - Frederic Nietzsche

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A few days later:

Current Year: 1252

I approached Gremist's hut with trepidation. I remember when I was born, he was condescending towards me and my mother. However, I'm a good actor and a reasonably good manipulator. I think I have around a 60% chance of him accepting me as his apprentice or at the very least helper. I also came prepared with a couple of items that I think he will enjoy in case things don't go my way. I looked down at my bag and patted it a few times for good luck.

Slowly, I made my way over to his door and knocked three times. *Knock, knock, knock*

"Who is it? Whaddya want ya whoreson? No more potion making for t'day. Find yurself another!" Gremist hollered, agitated as usual.

"Master Gremist, I wish to speak with you." I hollered back to him.

"No! Leave and don't come back. No potions!" Gremist said, almost exacerbated.

I was starting to get frustrated so I changed my approach. Gremist doesn't respect anyone, so the only way to get through to him is with violent tendencies.

"Oi! You fat slimy cunt. Open the fookin door before I take a nice steamy dunce on your doorstep!" I yelled as loud as I could.

I heard silence for a few moments before eventually I heard the shuffling of boots. Gremist opened the door aggressively and started to speak.

"What the ploughin fook do ye want ya whorseon?! Can't you see I'm busy?!" Gremist intoned very menacingly as he stared straight into my eyes.

"Take me as your apprentice." I emotionlessly replied back as I met his gaze. Not willing to back down for even a second.

Gremist inspected me from top to bottom with his gaze before finally settling on my ears. He looked into my eyes again.

"No." He said as emotionlessly as I had before as he slammed the door shut.

God damn it, this old cunt is really starting to piss me off. Time for another approach. I call this tactic, 'the monk'.

I wordlessly sat down with my legs crossed outside Gremist's door and I began to meditate. I'm going to wait here till this damned bastard opens this goddamn door.

All of a sudden I heard the door open again, this time just enough for him to peak out and look at me.

"What the fook are ye still doing here mate?" He said, seemingly less angry than he was before.

"Take me as your apprentice." I again emotionlessly replied back from my sitting position.

Gremist looked me up and down once more and then glared at me. Honestly it was kind of uncomfortable, but I would not cower from a gaze coming from Gremist. In my past life as a lawyer, it was other people who would cower from MY gaze. I would meet his stare as many times as he tried. He was looking rather calm before he spoke again.

"Why should I?" Gremist asked again, this time with a smirk. He probably thought I didn't have an answer because I was such a young kid. Boy was he wrong.

"Because yur an old decaying fart with nothing better to do. You also can use me to brew the potion that are too tedious to make. Not only that, but you'll have someone in this village besides the druids who's not a complete fookin retard." I said as easily as I breathed.

Gremist almost seemed shocked at my use of language for a three year old, but I've learned that if you can't win something through Guile, then it's better to act as if you're unhinged. For people like Gremist, this will surely captivate their interest.

Gremist pondered for a moment once more before speaking again. This time with a smile on his face.

"Not good enough mate, what else you got to sweeten the pot." Gremist said with a toothy grin. I glared at him for a moment before pulling out my trump card.

I lifted my bag off my shoulders and handed it to him. He raised an eyebrow at my actions and then took the bag. Slowly he opened it up to reveal what was inside. He had a mouth like a fish when he saw what was contained within.

"Oi… Where did a kid like you get this much spirit?" Gremist said, still shocked.

I sported a toothy grin of my own and replied.

"Ye shall find out where I got it once you make me your apprentice. Once you're my master you can order me to tell you." I said with a tone that assured me of victory.

Gremists looked exacerbated and like he needed a nap after the amount of bull shit I was putting him through. After a few moments, that seemed like forever, he decided to speak.

"Ahhh Kid, yer a right pain in me balls, you know that? Fine I shall make ye my apprentice, but know that alchemy is tough, if ye don't have the talent, then you should quit while yer ahead." He said, seemingly done with the conversation as he walked back into his hut. I followed after him and quickly spoke before letting out a laugh.

"Don't worry, master. I'm sure that pain will only increase as we work together." I said before letting out a chuckle.

Now it's time to get a head start on alchemy. I sported a smile and thought about the knowledge I would soon possess.

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6 months later

Current Year: 1252

I've been Gremist's apprentice for six months now, and it hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows. However, I can thoroughly say that I'm a great alchemist. Gremist said that My potions were of high quality and my technical skills are better than expected. Very high praise from a man like Gremist.

I have read all of the books that Gremist has allowed me to that he has collected on alchemy and alchemical research and products. It seems to me like I have a photographic memory. That explains why I was able to learn so many languages in such a short amount of time. I have to remember that I'm still only three years old. Anyways, I seem to remember mostly everything that I read, but occasionally I do have to reread certain books and pages because my memory isn't "perfect" so to say. Whether this memory is because of my body or because of my soul, I do not know. It could very well be both.

Right now, I could say that my alchemical skills are around Journeyman level. I'm closing in on that master alchemist title, but I need more research materials and books containing information on obscure alchemy topics to reach that level. One day, I'll get there.

I was returning home from Gremist's hut with a bit of a skip in my step as I had learned quite a bit today, and I was surely on my way towards becoming a master alchemist. I walked in the front door and saw my mother crying in her chair.

I was immediately worried. I have grown quite close to my mother during these past few years. She's one of the nicest humans I've ever met. She takes great care of me and always allowed me to learn as much as I could. I called out to her, making sure she was not hurt or anything like that.

"Mom? Are ye alright? Are you hurt? Mom please don't be sad. Look, I was able to bring home some raspberries today. I bought them from one of the merchants, I know they're your favorite!" I said, desperately trying to make her feel better from whatever was worrying her.

"Harkon.. Come over here" My mother said in between her tears. Beckoning me over with her hand.

I immediately came to her side. She stared at me for a few moments before pulling me into the tightest hug she could. She kissed the side of my head and held me even tighter than before.

"Sweety," she sniffled. " I have something important to tell you."

I looked at her and gestured for her to continue, making it clear that I was listening to her.

"Harkon, nine months before ye were born… Something happened. The village was attacked by the Wild Hunt. The red riders. They took a few of the villagers while the druids tried to drive them off. We almost didn't prevail until a man saved us, he was able to drive most of them off." My mother began her tale passionately, making sure I understood every word. This somewhat frightened me, The Wild Hunt is an enemy that I'm not capable of facing yet.

"During the battle…. Something happened and I was whisked away by one of the riders. He cornered me into the hut and then he… Well, it's not important. The only important part is about the man who saved us." My mother struggled to voice out. This was a particularly tough memory for her.

I was shocked. Does that mean one of the riders…. No...No, it's best not to think about it for now. My mother needed to continue her tale.

"The man who saved us.. Who saved me.. He was a witcher. I intended to reward the man who had saved us, however, he enacted the law of surprise." My mother was barely speaking now, her voice was hearth with pain.

I could see where this was going, and I did not know if I liked it or not. It seems I was a Child of Surprise and I was destined to become a witcher. This must be what my mother was talking about when I was born.

"The witcher who saved us has come, I had hoped that this day would never arrive. He is waiting on the outskirts of the village. He is waiting to retrieve you. It is your destiny to become a witcher. I'm sorry my son, I wanted to protect you from this fate. It seems like I wasn't able to do that either." My mother looked down, tears overflowing.

I grabbed her hands on my own and squeezed them tightly.

"Don't worry mom, I know that this is simply the way of the world. Do not put yourself down like that mother, it makes me furious. Someone like you, the most beautiful woman in the world, should not apologize for the actions of fate itself. There's nothing against the witcher code that forbids me to come and visit." I smiled up at her as I stared into her eyes. She looked at me as she hugged me again, even tighter than I thought possible.

"You might not survive.. What then?" My mother said, her heart full of sadness. I smirked at her as she said that.

"I will not die, there is nothing in this world that can keep me away from you. Helson's like us are not so easily thwarted. I'll become a witcher. I'll grow strong and then make my way back to you." I said, my voice full of determination.

Revna, my mother, stared at me, her face full of pride.

"I love you my son, please.. Find your way back to me." She said once more as we were embraced.

"I love you too, mom. I'll make sure to come back alive. I just have one question before I go." I said as I pulled away from her slightly.

"What is it, my son? Ask me anything." She said, eager to answer my question.

"What is the name of the witcher who saved you?" I said, the curiosity budding in my voice.

"Ahh, that. The witcher's name was Ivar Evil-Eye."

...Fuck.