Chapter 13: Another One

Precious stones have always been the carrier of magic power with the highest frequency in various Western fantasy worlds. They are often used by various wizards as magic power storage objects or alchemy materials. 

'The Witcher 3' is not exempt from this point. The forging of various equipment and the alchemy of special potions require various gems and crystals as materials. 

The Wizard's remote communication device also requires crystals and gems as materials. In order to create a communication device that was far enough away, the heroine of the novel 'The Witcher' also took a huge crystal that was the treasure of the school because it 'had unparalleled magic power'. 

Lann had long guessed that special minerals such as gems and crystals would contain magic power, or even be the 'Source of magic power'. He had also touched most of the jewelry owned by the family and even the royal family, but there was no hint of magic power. 

As for this unexpected surprise in front of him, is there anything worth hesitating about? 

Lann grabbed the crystal with one hand and saw the prompt box in front of him shaking. An indescribable energy flowed directly from the crystal towards Lann. 

At the same time, Lann was pleasantly surprised to see that the dark parts on the panel were lighting up little by little. 

Among them is the [Sign] ability panel that Lann has dreamed of. 

[Absorb the Source of magic power, ability point +1] 

However, before Lann could react, the feeling of surge of energy disappeared in an instant. As the ability points increased, the magic power was completely absorbed by the panel, and those parts of the panel that were briefly lit dimmed again. 

Lann's hand that was about to perform some Signs stopped moving. 

After taking several deep breaths to calm himself, Lann had several ideas come to mind that collided like lightning. 

What just flowed into his body must be magic power, and the ability panel lighting up should be because his body has magic power and has the conditions to make the Sign. 

After a quick look, the only abilities enabled are those of [Signs], abilities that use Adrenaline or have to do with Toxicity are not enabled. This must be because my body just acquired the condition of 'having magic power', but the other conditions like 'resisting Toxicity' and 'Adrenaline body' were not obtained. 

In other words, what I have always suspected is right. As long as you become a witcher, you can activate all the abilities on the panel. 

Looking at the dimmed panel again with regret, Lann clicked the ability point he just obtained on [Fleet Footed] again. 

[Fleet Footed]: Damage from hits received while dodging is reduced by 80%. Adrenaline Point gain: +4% (4/5) 

At this point, Lann can dodge most attacks. It is only one skill point away from that unreasonable god-level dodge effect. 

"Your Majesty the Earl!" A strong and enthusiastic voice pulled Lann out of his thoughts. When he looked up, he saw his new attendant Swade standing in front of him with a fanatical look on his face. 

This little blacksmith is his fan. He just put on an unparalleled performance on the spot, and he doesn't know how much his favorability has increased. 

"All supplies, casualties, and prisoners have been accounted for, please give us your instructions!" 

Lann was a little amused by the young man's serious look, and answered him seriously: 

"Everyone recovers in this place, and we will bring the troops back at dawn tomorrow." 

It was almost dusk at this time. It was not far from Cintra, but it was at least half a day's journey. There is no reason to rush all night in the woods, not to mention that even if you rush back, it is impossible to open the city gate in the middle of the night. 

It happened that they were in the camp of these bandits and if they settled in this place, they would save the soldiers time to set up camp. 

Soon the moon rose above the treetops, and bonfires were lit. The soldiers were divided into small groups and roasted dry food. Lann was surrounded by his three attendants and the vice-captain, listening to them talk about some of the usual operational knowledge of the city defense army. 

Next to a bonfire at the edge of the camp, several soldiers looked at Lann from afar and murmured. 

"If the Earl is really as noble as the legendary Lord, he will camp outside like us and have dinner together." 

"Which Lord? What kind of noble qualities?" 

"That's Lord Lannister, the lion knight in the poem. That person is the father of the Earl. I heard that he is not only as brave as a lion, but also has noble aspirations. He often... often... He is like ordinary people, not the same as those Nobles." 

"What? The Lion Knight is the father of our Lord Earl?" 

The other soldiers' eyes suddenly turned over, as if they were looking at something stupid. 

"If you have nothing to do, don't go to Rose Garden to find a girl. Instead, chat with the guys in the team..." 

The soldier who started the topic picked up the rations and slapped the recruit on the forehead, and continued: 

"I mean, your lordship is a noble person. But even if your lordship is a noble person and doesn't care about eating these poor people's food, we have to think about your lordship, don't you think so?" 

"Boss, what do you mean?" 

"Go to the jungle and catch some game!" 

On the other side, the screams of the seriously injured bandits gradually subsided. The soldier in charge of the interrogation wiped his hands on the bandit's body, trying to wipe away the strong smell of blood. 

"Your Majesty, the interrogation is over, and one person died." 

Lann's hands that were eating stopped and seeing that there was no slight increase on the panel, he felt that it was difficult to breathe. 

The soldier who was reporting continued with an admiring expression: "As you expected, Lord Earl, there are still remnants of this group of bandits. They were preparing to evacuate just before we arrived, and their leader left early to find an evacuation route. That's why he didn't cross paths with us." 

Lann nodded: "Then he will definitely return. After everyone is done, stay alert and don't let anything approach the camp pass." 

After thinking about it, Lann asked again: "Did he say what characteristics this leader has? Tell it to the soldiers so that everyone can have an idea." 

"Some things." The interrogator nodded. "I heard from the bandit that his leader is very skilled in fighting. He can kill four or five people at a time when he attacks usually." 

The vice-captain who was listening immediately laughed: "Four or five people? Are they all refugees without weapons? Who can't kill ten with a sword?" 

Lann waved his hand to silence the man and signaled the interrogator to continue. 

"Not only that...the bandit also said that their leader is used to carrying two swords on his back, and he always carries bottles that are said to be magic potions." 

"Magic potion? Was that made up by their leader to scare the people below? Where did the bandits get the magic potion?" 

The vice-captain laughed louder, but he didn't see Lann's face gradually change. 

"That's not all." Said the interrogator. "They also mentioned that their leader's eyes were very strange, as if..." 

"Cat-eye-like amber?" Lann asked softly. 

"Yes...how do you know, my lord?" 

At night, deep in the jungle, a figure lurking in the bushes quietly observed several soldiers who came out to capture wild animals. 

His eyes were bright, emitting amber light, like a leopard preparing to hunt its prey.