Chapter 4:

Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it. - William Shakespeare

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4 months later:

Current Year: 1252

Our journey so far was pleasant. At least, from a skelligan perspective. We were attacked by bandits a few times on our way out of Cintra. Ivar was apparently one of the strongest witchers alive though, so he slaughtered them all without even drawing his sword. Just moved extremely quickly, came up behind each one of them and snapped their necks. Ivar asked me if I was alright afterwards, afterall I had just witnessed the slaughter of eleven men. I had witnessed a few deaths here and there in my past life, but not a massacre like this. I was oddly fine though, if Skellige culture had taught me one thing it was violence and honor in battle.

My mother had made it very clear on how to be skelligan. You needed to be tough in the face of danger. Take no disrespect. If disrespect is given, respond with absolute violence. Never cower, cowardice is the ultimate sign of disrespect. Death in battle was considered a great honor in Skellige and I happened to concur. There is nothing like using your skill to absolutely dismantle your opponent and achieve victory.

I had wanted to try and see Ciri at the royal palace and I tried to convince Ivar to find a way to visit, but he laughed in my face. He told me that the only way we'd be getting into the royal palace was if there was a serious contract on the table that even the lioness of Cintra would need to speak with him. Alas, it was not meant to be, I didn't fancy my chances of sneaking into the palace as a three year old. I would probably be killed before I made it to Ciri's crib. She's still just a baby.

Ciri was one of the few humans I knew was good natured. In the games and the books, she would look out for those she cared about. She was selfish, there was no doubt about that, but she was still a decent person. Even despite the serious amount of bad hands she'd been dealt in life. One day, I hope I'll be able to meet her. Although I'm quite a bad person on the inside, it's possible she'll want nothing to do with me.

I'm evil in the sense that I'm apathetic to the plights of most people that I perceive to be 'evil'. Most humans in this world fall under that category. Almost all of them are extremely racist and have no senes of common decency for anyone they think is different. If the shoe was on the other foot and they were the ones who perceived to be different... They wouldn't last long, I can tell you that much.

An example would be these bandits. They've no doubt raped and murdered loads of people before they finally met their end. If I was older and had completed my witcher training, I might have just used Axii on them and then experimented with potions on their bodies. If experimenting on scum like this can benefit me, then all the better. I won't do anything evil to people that I perceive to be 'good' on purpose. I try and only do bad things to bad people if I can help it. That one fact that doesn't clear my my conscience into allowing me to believe that I'm a good person on the inside. In order to do an evil act, for whatever purpose, you must accept that you are allowing you yourself to become 'evil' in the eyes of others.

Besides those rather morbid thoughts, I hope that I can meet Ciri someday. She is a very interesting person and her powers extremely fascinate me. Being able to go wherever and do whatever you want in an infinite amount of worlds is an extremely coveted ability. Powers like that essentially make you some sort of god like entity. Controlling time and space is no joke.

Maybe if I'm able to live long enough, I can do what the elves did and create my own elder blood through experimentation and mutation. Ciri is the key to stopping the white frost, so I don't think I'm gonna be able to study her powers under any circumstances. I don't want to accidentally bring the apocalypse to my new world.

Thinking about Ciri also made me think about Emhyr or rather "Duny" as he was going by now. The man was a scumbag. Even if he had a tragic backstory of being a prince exiled from his home. The man wanted to rape and impregnate Ciri, his own daughter. If I get the chance, I might try and foil his plans. After all, if there's anyone that's going to rule this world, it's going to be me.

Enough of those thoughts, that is end game level thinking. I need to focus on present game level thinking. Ivar was using Igni to burn all of the bandits' bodies. Didn't want to attract necrophages afterall. It was extremely interesting to watch. Ivar's use of Igni produced a large amount of flames, larger than a usual Igni from the game would. His sign usage is very powerful, maybe he puts more focus into his magical aspect? Or maybe he's a source? I did not know the answers to these questions and while I was pondering on them, Ivar decided to speak up.

"Oi, you couldn't have helped me with these bandits? You call yourself a man, letting this old guy do all the work?" He said with a smile. We had become good friends over the past couple months. He's very cynical and makes pretty evil jokes. That's alright because I like that kind of comedy. He's starting to become a sort of father/mentor figure in my life. Teaching me tips on how to survive as well as things to watch out for. Certain tips on dealing with people and how to stay impartial in certain political climates. I enjoy his company.

"I am three, Ivar." I reminded him and titled my head. He just smirked at that.

"Your generation, no respect for your elders…" He said with a mock depressed tone. I laughed at that. He also shared in my laugh. It was a weird sight, a witcher and a soon to be half elf witcher laughing in front of 11 burning bandit bodies. It's a strange world.

"So, from here, it should take around a month to reach the castle. We're almost there kid. Then your witcher life will truly begin." Ivar said. I nodded to him in acknowledgment. My excitement was budding. Soon, I'll be able to truly start living without restriction. I just have to endure.

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1 month later:

Current Year: 1252

We had finally made it. In the mountain ranges of Tir Tochair, we had finally made it. After going down a series of different paths through several mountains we had arrived at an enormous castle carved into the side of the mountain itself. Ivar told me the castle was named Kaer Lorna, so that's interesting to know. It was large, probably a tiny bit larger than Kaer Morhen, and also not as destroyed. The walls were high and the stone was black. Probably some Nilfgaard architecture design. Dark and macabre was how they preferred things. I'll admit it was how I preferred things too, but I digress. Viper Witchers can probably afford the upkeep of the school because they also take contracts on humans. Nilfgaard would have to divert a bit more resources if they wanted to actually destroy this keep. Or they would just employ a shit ton of mages.

It was late November, and despite the climate of Nilfgaard, there was snow on the ground. Witchers of the Viper from across the continent would probably arrive soon to wait out the winter.

"We're here kid, get ready for your life to make a change. No one leaves these walls the same way they came in." Ivar said, mysteriously. He needs to learn to not be so dark to a three year old, but I've proven myself to be more mature than I should be.

We slowly approached and once we arrived at the gate, Ivar let out a shout in order for us to be let in.

"Oi! Cunts! Open the goddamn door. Your handsome and precious leader has returned." Ivar shouted out.

I heard gears being turned and the black gate in front of us was slowly being lifted off the ground. Once it was opened up enough to walk through, we stepped inside. We were in a large courtyard. It was around half the size of a football field. Nilfgaard classic dark style. Everything seemed a bit dim because of the stone, the same stone that made up the outer wall. Even the floor was a very dark gray.

There were a few people, witchers, practicing combat. There were some practicing some type of sword kata. Others were working on their signs. Others were even practicing their stealth, as it was a viper school exclusive skill that was heavily stressed. I can see why, an attack that your opponent does not expect is the attack that is most likely to succeed. They were practicing by playing some form of capture the flag. Trying not to get noticed while you steal the flag from your fellow witchers.

They all wore darker colors, a series of greens, grays and blacks. Their armor differed from person to person, but they mostly used medium armor with black cloth covering most of it. Probably wanted to hide their hidden weapons, bombs, and potions.

Curiously, among the rabble, I noticed that there were actually a few female witchers. They must be incredibly rare, I'm pretty sure most women do not survive the trial of the grasses. Well that's interesting, maybe when I get older I'll… well.. You know.

We dismounted from Ivar's horse and began to walk towards the keep. It was huge and looked very pristine. It seems this school truly is raking in the coin. Taking contracts on humans will do that for you. Besides the keep, a lot of the other witchers and witcher trainees were looking at me, probably wondering why the boss himself went on a journey to get me. A point I happen to agree with.

We entered the keep through the massive doors. Inside there were a couple more witchers eating and some doing some kind of paperwork. I don't know what he's doing that for, but I'll find out soon enough.

Ivar brought me to the trainee barracks. A place where those on their path towards becoming a witcher would start their journey. He opened a door allowing me to gaze within. It was a small room, probably smaller than my dorm room in college back on earth. There was a bed, a desk, a chest to store your belongings in, and a small alchemy set up in the corner. The last one was probably there because most witchers make their bombs and potions before they go to sleep, that way they have them ready for the next day ahead.

"Well, it's not much, but it's yours. Feel free to grab some food and a snack from the kitchen. Trust me, after tomorrow, you won't be allowed to eat normal food for quite a long time." Ivar said, but this time he looked guilty. He probably doesn't envy the fact that a young boy is going to join the order. After all, the battle of becoming a witcher is not won without sacrifice

Ivar left to go check in on how things were going around the castle. Probably reviewing contracts for monsters and assassinations. Something the viper school has been known to do. After exploring the castle for a bit and trying to take in my surroundings, it was starting to get dark. It was high time I got settled in, and got ready for the trials ahead.

I returned to my room and got myself ready for bed. As I layed down to try and sleep, a smile appeared on my face. I have finally made it, a few more hours and my training will begin. My journey towards becoming powerful is about to start.

I laid my head down on the pillow and pulled the black, no doubt Nilfgaardian, covers over my weary travelling body. Then, I drifted off to sleep.