Bear School Astartes

”Doppelganger?” Lann chuckled at his serious and confused secretary, ”I don’t know any doppelganger, and indeed, as you thought, when the meeting in Airetusa happens, I will most likely go over there. After all, that’s where the big events are.”

”But... ha!”

Halfway through the sentence, Lann chuckled lightly, his expression amused.

”I’ve traveled for so long... can’t really think that just because I’m not around, nothing can be done, right?”

The young Demon Hunter patted Stuart’s shoulder in front of him, almost making Stuart’s inconvenient body stumble and sit down.

But since the Cyan Grass Trial has already been scheduled, it doesn’t matter what disability, Lann won’t cater to Stuart’s ideas as he is about to recover.

”Follow the schedule, just adjust your state. No matter the commotion outside, it doesn’t matter.”

Leaving Stuart and his companions clutching their shoulders, their mouths twitching in pain, yet their expressions more alive, Lann turned and walked out of the room with Lincoln.

Let the ten people selected for the Cyan Grass Trial adjust their moods and bodies themselves.

”I have great confidence in my potion; according to my calculations, the success rate is at least ninety-nine percent. But to be cautious, this time the Cyan Grass Trial will be conducted in batches, and the first batch will have only one person.”

”Belengar will give you a sketch of the restraint bed, and he will lend a hand to create that thing. When the mutation lasts a week, the person won’t get off it.”

”Additionally, in the third expanded space pack on the back of the Qilin, there are nutritional food blocks I specifically made using alchemy, similar to what I’ve eaten before, but simplified for your teeth.”

”I’ve shared the usage conditions for Big Appetite Energy with you; this thing doesn’t take up space when eaten, tastes average, but is nutritionally complete and filling. Specialized food supports the mutation process without affecting the existing material reserves in the castle.”

”The Qilin has been craving the special food I made lately, and although this batch isn’t as strong as my version, don’t be surprised if it sneaks a bite. Remove the space bag from its back first.”

A series of orders and cautions were given, and Lann spoke while walking, accompanied by the constant sound of a feathered pen scratching and drawing in the book.

Following Lann and taking notes was already second nature for Lincoln.

Generally, secretaries in his position not only record orders and meeting notes but also act as a notebook for their superior.

If the superior becomes too busy and forgets their previous orders or arrangements, they are frequently asked and expected to respond at any time.

What Veltrest mentioned before at that secret meeting of the King, the requirement to memorize the command chain of the Demon Hunters, is precisely what Lincoln is doing now.

The secretaries of the Embers Knight Order can easily accomplish these tasks, but Lincoln is somewhat different from typical secretaries—

Lincoln has never been asked by Lann about previous orders or arrangements, as if the Master of the Knight Order can perfectly recall what commands and arrangements he issued even in chaotic situations and high-pressure scenarios.

No reminders are necessary.

After meticulously and clearly dispensing orders for a multitude of tasks, Lincoln followed, recording a multitude of tasks.

Lann, at this time, was rolling up the sleeves of his silk-trimmed shirt to his elbows.

He prepared many things to assist in the Cyan Grass Trial, but the potion set for the trial itself still needs to be made fresh.

An alchemical potion combination made from Cross-tailed Dragon Spinal Fluid, Flying Lion Monster Venom Gland, Vampire Beldam’s tongue, European Yam, Long-leaved Plantain, and Mandrake Root.

The various raw materials are mixed into three potions, Mother’s Tears, Wild Rye Juice, and Straw Juice.

The three potions must be used immediately upon mixing, or they’ll lose efficacy or spoil.

This isn’t a simple physical change but involves magic and alchemy, so even cold storage won’t work.

Once mixed, they are injected into the body rhythmically and in order, marking the start of the Cyan Grass Trial.

At this point, it’s not yet time to mix the potions, but it’s time to start pre-treating the raw materials.

A batch of potion sets for ten people... even during the prime of the Demon Hunter order, few apprentice mutations could reach this scale.

Fortunately, the Embers Knight Order had long started getting textbooks and guidance from Belengar, practicing alchemy themselves, and calling a few Knights to help actually didn’t take long.

”You want to conduct the Cyan Grass Trial in batches,” Lincoln wrote, his mind keeping pace with Lann, ”You want to oversee it the entire time? That would surely take at least half a month.”

”As long as it catches up with the Wizard Summit on Sandy Island.”

Lann said indifferently.

”Don’t mind me bringing Belengar, he’s just more experienced in field observation; I’ve read the research documents from three generations of Alzur and his apprentices.”

”Who else should oversee it if not me? Vesemir? Can you find him?”

”That’s settled.” The Demon Hunter set the tone, so Lincoln stopped speaking; the work mode during their interactions was already familiar.

”Let me make a call, get a Warlock over, and then we can start.”

During mutation, to interfere with magic, Lann thought of inviting Margaret, Triss, or Tishaya.

Even the youngest and most inexperienced Triss among them has a magic proficiency belonging to the top tier of warlocks.

But similarly, warlocks of this level also need to attend the Warlock Summit, so this is a busy time.

Therefore, Lann considered asking that female warlock who runs a clinic in Gos Velen?

Able to perform surgery to replace Triss’s burned skin, specializing in medical magic, her level should be sufficient to release the Stabilizing Spell during the mutation process.

Lann was pondering how to negotiate with a female warlock he had never met.

Firstly, leveraging warlocks’ curiosity about demon hunters’ mutations was sure to bring people to help.

But on the other hand, how do you make them keep it a secret after helping? You can’t just kill them, right?

Tch, Margaret and Tishaya have never let him meet this female warlock who specializes in medical magic, saying that she spends a night and half a day obsessed with sleeping with men.

Typical lustful warlock.

Lann would just disrupt her work in the past, offering no help to medical research.

But it’s not quite proper to approach unannounced like this.

”Uh...” Secretary opened his mouth after completing the command record, ”Actually, sir, you shouldn’t worry too much about this point.”

”Hey, Lincoln. I advise you not to be like those female warlocks or old demon hunters, spewing sleazy jokes.”

Lann looked like he knew what Lincoln was going to say, with a heartbroken expression.

”I can’t just sell myself for such a matter, right? Why talk about useless stuff instead? The immediate priority is to...”

While speaking, the young demon hunter who was joking with his friend with a ’pained and angry’ facade suddenly got stuck and his expression froze, slowly lowering his head.

There, the silver Roaring Bear Head Pendant was swinging ’swish swish’ rapidly.

”Keeping yourself clean? That’s great! I feel like rewarding you properly.”

A voice full of mature charm and maiden-like energy came from the corridor around the corner not far from the castle.

The red-haired beauty who made the sound came striding with a seductive catwalk from behind Lann, her arm raised, her fingers lightly brushing his chin as a tease.

Simultaneously, Triss stepped in front of Lann, tilting her face up, looking at him with eyes like those of an agile little deer.

”By the way, what did you say about asking Matty Sodrenge for help?”

”What else can I do?”

The initial surprise vanished in an instant, and Lann naturally caught the soft hand brushing his chin, bringing it to his lips for a kiss.

”Of course, bring her into my research project, creating mutual benefits. We’re all doing research, it’s just the same routine.”

The female warlock’s shoulder twitched unusually, more like a jerk caused by suppressing bodily shudders.

Just the contact with Lann made Triss’s skin turn slightly flushed and her eyes became watery.

Behind Triss, opposite Lann, the Secretary quietly closed his notebook.

His ’I don’t mean that, you misunderstood me’ expression was complex, yet perfectly in sync for his master to grasp instantly.

Apparently, ’shouldn’t worry’ meant there was already a female warlock here!

The secretary naturally packed up and retreated, stepping toward another corridor corner of the castle, aiming to disappear from Lann’s view at the fastest speed.

”I sent you messages, but you neither replied nor came looking for me.”

Before Triss could speak, Lann immediately took the lead.

He seemed to be reprimanding something, suddenly leaving the female warlock at a loss.

Coupled with Triss’s hand still being held by Lann, the tall warrior earnestly gazed at the female warlock. Silver-like hair cascading between them, some strands tickling those red lips.

Inexplicably, Triss suddenly felt a sense of guilt.

”Of course, you’re busy, I know.” Lann looked at Triss, speaking softly, ”After all, you are the Royal Advisor of Temeria.”

...The female warlock felt even more inexplicit guilt.

”No, let’s not talk about that.” Lann proactively changed the subject, ”Why are you here at High Hill Castle at this time? How long have you been here?”

Triss, still bewildered by Lann, had her previously flushed face pale slightly.

But when discussing this topic, the female warlock’s expression turned helpless.

She’s been in Velen for over two weeks, and timing-wise, Lann returned later than she arrived.

She stayed in Gos Velen for a while, then came to High Hill Castle.

Triss is not like Margaret, who treats indulgence as a daily routine, feeling uncomfortable if lacking.

Yet, she still wouldn’t refuse comfortable living conditions.

And her reason for coming to High Hill Castle...

”I’m hiding from someone.”

The female warlock brushed her wine-red hair with her fingers, speaking helplessly.