Chapter 16
Nezu's Office
Nezu played a recording of the figure Vesemir had named 'Wraith'. After watching the recording, he turned to the boy.
"So... he's not a man with a quirk."
"He used to be."
Aizawa and Midnight exchanged glances of uncertainty. Finally, Aizawa asked.
"What do you mean... he used to be?"
"Let me explain this as simply as possible, so as not to get into a several-hour conversation about monsters. A Wraith is a monster classified as a Specter. It is not known exactly how they are created. The most popular opinion is that when a person dies full of anger, for example because of an injustice they believe they have done to them, then... their soul changes into a Wraith. This is an enemy that hates all living things. There is no known way to reverse the transformation. The only way is to kill the monster and bury the body. A Wraith can appear in a cemetery, but also in a place known to the deceased person from whom it was created. It can also be in the vicinity of the person's death, so the body is probably somewhere nearby. A Wraith can be created at any time, so the body can be 3 weeks old - exactly the same age as the pro heroes try to fight the Wraith, or it can be several months old. Some people are able to call a Wraith to 'life' using an appropriate ritual." Nezu sat in his armchair sipping tea. He didn't like the fact that monsters from Vesemir's world appeared in Japan. Maybe they are even all over the world... fortunately Vesemir has the right knowledge, or at least that's what it looked like.
Aizawa looked at the screen in silence for a moment, where a frame showing a blurred, ethereal silhouette of Wraith had stopped. Is this what his son was fighting? Is this the reason, or at least one of the reasons, why he is so well trained?
Midnight, on the other hand, looked at Vesemir. There was something... calm about him. As if he knew what was about to happen. Before she could say anything, Vesemir said.
"I have to prepare myself"
Midnight's eyes widened. Despite understanding what Vesemir had said, she still asked the question.
"For what, Vesemir?"
"For the fight"
He answered shortly, not looking at Midnight. Instead, he watched the paused recording of an unknown pro hero trying to burn a Wraith... unsuccessfully. He turned to the director.
"Mr. Nezu? I need supplies immediately to create the right equipment for the fight. This opponent is completely resistant to fire and physical attacks."
Nezu nodded slowly.
"What do you need, young Vesemir?"
Aizawa raised his voice.
"No! He's too young to fight something like that!"
"I'm not. I've already killed several Wraiths. For you, it's a huge danger. For me, it's just another Monday at work."
There was silence. Aizawa clenched his fists. Midnight instinctively put a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down, but even she felt an inner protest at what they had just heard.
Vesemir, on the other hand, stood calmly, as if his words were not an exaggeration, but merely a statement of fact. There was not an ounce of pride in his tone, let alone arrogance. It sounded like a cold account of everyday life that was madness to them.
Nezu finally broke the silence, placing his cup on the saucer with a soft clatter of porcelain.
"Alright. Let's make a list of what you need. You'll also get access to the workshop, and Power Loader support. Give me specific requirements and I'll do my best to get it ready for you."
Before Midnight or Aizawa could interject, Vesemir began reciting the ingredients.
"A regular lubricant. Doesn't matter what kind. Herbs - verbena, mistletoe, ranogrin, saltpeter or any explosive powder, fine silver filings. beggartick blossoms, celandine, strong vodka or spirit. And I need the ability to set up my own herbal workshop and I need a place to brew alcohol and potions."
"Alcohol!?" Midnight almost exclaimed. Aizawa narrowed his eyes and made a displeased face.
Vesemir didn't move a millimeter.
"Spirit or vodka are not for drinking. They are the base for alchemical potions. They dissolve the ingredients and activate their properties. Personally, I prefer mead."
Aizawa flinched. His 14-year-old son drinks alcohol.....
Nezu only nodded after a moment.
"Power Loader will prepare a workshop for you. We will equip your workstation according to your requirements. However, I require that you work under the supervision of any UA teacher."
Vesemir only nodded.
.
.
.
2 hours later the station for preparing potions and other necessary tools for Vesemir was ready. Nezu had provided everything that was needed. The station had herbal equipment, where you could mix, heat, distill and many other activities.
Aizawa couldn't watch his son work with alcohol, but he watched everything with Nezu in his office. Midnight sat restlessly on a chair in the study, watching Vesemir. She watched as the boy skillfully prepared three burners that heated transparent alcohol. He threw some herbs into each of them. The burners were set to different strengths. After a few minutes, the alcohol changed colors to pink, green and blue.
"Vesemir? Can you tell me what you did now?"
Without taking his eyes off cleaning empty potion bottles, he answered.
"Pink is vitriol, blue is aether, and the green one is caelum. These are substances needed to create a potion called 'Swallow'. Using the right temperature and the right herbs, I can extract the selected substances. Some herbs have several different substances, but I can extract them separately."
Vesemir cleaned each of the ingredients of the herb residue and poured everything into a larger glass container and boiled until the ingredients mixed.
"What does this potion do?"
"It allows you to regenerate injuries."
"And how? Do you pour it on a wound?"
Vesemir poured the finished potion into four small bottles with cork stoppers. He put them aside to cool them down. He hesitated to answer her question. He didn't want to inform her that elixirs should be drunk. He remembered the last conversation about alcohol in the restaurant. In Mr. Nezu's office, he stupidly admitted to liking mead.
"Please do not use them in any way. For normal people, witcher elixirs are poisonous. I am adapted to consume them, because I can digest them."
Midnight was not stupid. She could see that he was hiding something. The name 'elixir' itself indicates that it is rather for drinking, but she did not say anything more. She did not know anything about his world. Maybe.... you really pour this potion on a wound?
In a similar way, Vesemir prepared another potion - 'Petri's Philter'. This time he used four burners. Midnight saw how one of the substances turned silver.
Finally, Vesemir started to create 'Specter Oil' and 'Moon Dust'. Midnight watched this with interest. Power Loader entered the room, curious about the young witcher's creations.
"And how is it going?"
He said to Midnight, but it was Vesemir who answered.
"I'm done. Now we have to wait."
.
.
.
Nezu and Aizawa watched what Vesemir was doing.
"Aizawa. Don't you think it's time to tell him that you're his father? I've already prepared all the documents. From today on, Vesemir is officially a Japanese citizen, known as Aizawa Vesemir."
Aizawa nodded.
"Yes.... but not before.... the fight. I don't want to distract him, but I have to be there. After all, Vesemir needs permission from the pro hero to use his... 'quirk'. I'm ready to take responsibility."
Nezu looked at Aizawa with concern and understanding, carefully choosing his words.
"I understand your decision, Aizawa. It's reasonable. If you distract him with emotions now, he might make a mistake, but I can't help but ask. Are you ready for this? Not only for the fight... but for what comes after?"
Aizawa leaned heavily against the back of the chair, tired more than usual. "
"I don't know. I didn't even have a chance to raise him. He doesn't know me. Maybe he doesn't want to know. What if I'm a bad father? He's been through things I can't even wrap my mind around."
"You're scared..."
Nezu stated
".....Yes."
Nezu took a sip of tea. He looked at Aizawa with understanding.
"Aizawa... I know you'll be a great father. You're not alone. Vesemir may not be a typical teenager, he's been through a lot, he had to kill to survive. You saw the picture he painted yourself. Think about how many more pictures he has ready to paint. The boy needs help."
"And that's why you're sending him to fight a villain... I mean, a monster?"
Aizawa threw out a slightly accusatory tone.
"No. I'm doing this for several reasons. The first reason - he knew what it was. The second reason - he knows how to fight it and how to prepare"
As Nezu said these words, he looked back at the screen where Vesemir was creating potions.
"And the third reason - I'm sending him so that the boy here doesn't break down mentally."
Aizawa looked up.
"What do you mean...broke down mentally?"
"He's been trained since he was a child to fight monsters like the one under the bridge. It's probably the only thing he knows. You can't expect him to act like a teenager from our world, because he's not. Fighting monsters is something natural to him...normal. We'll try to change that, but we can't force him to stop fighting monsters, because it could hurt him. I'm sure he's lived in constant danger for most of his life. You've heard his real name and titles. He's a high-born noble, if not from a ruling family. What do you think? What could have forced him to live like this?" Aizawa thought for a moment... What could Ciri have done that would have put Vesemir in danger. "If Ciri is really someone important there….maybe even a queen or maybe an empress….then Vesemir could be a great bargaining chip, and if Ciri wasn't able to keep him safe, then that means there's a civil war in his home, or an invasion by an exceptionally strong enemy that's been going on for years."
Nezu nodded.
"So here we have a young prince from another dimension, from a medieval world full of monsters and magic…. who was raised to be a warrior…. who is being hunted for being born into a royal family. Aizawa, he can't be normal in our sense of the word. When was he supposed to be normal? When was he fighting for his life in a river soaked in blood, or fighting monsters like the one under the bridge?"
Aizawa lowered his head and clenched his fists.
"This….is my son."
"Yes. This is your son. And a warrior with extraordinary power from another world. We will help him become a pro hero. At the age of 16, we will enroll him in UA, but for now... he has to fight monsters, because that's what he's used to and trained for. This is the only reality he knows. I have to prepare documents for him to become your sidekick."
"Isn't he too young? He didn't finish school."
"According to the law, there is no minimum age limit for becoming a sidekick of a pro hero. Vesemir will be the youngest person to have a pro hero license. Of course, it won't be a full license, only a provisional one, but it will allow him to act in dangerous situations. It will also allow him to wear his equipment in public. He will receive a full license only after he finishes his studies at UA... if he wants to become a hero."
Aizawa was still looking at the screen, although his thoughts were far from the scene he was observing. The image of his son, who with cold precision created potions from unknown substances, was both fascinating and painful. The boy should not know such things. He should not know the taste of spirits or the names of herbs or the strange ingredients he extracted from them.
.
.
.
Vesemir finished his work. Time to rest and meditate. He asked Lady Midnight to take him to a place where he could sit and meditate in peace. Preferably somewhere surrounded by nature. Midnight led him to a park located on the grounds of UA. Lots of trees, of all kinds. Flowers, of every known color. No modern sounds. Paths paved with stones and plenty of benches for resting.
"Thank you very much, Lady Midnight. Can I be alone now? I remember the way back."
Despite her hesitation, Midnight nodded.
"Alright Vesemir, I'll be nearby if you need me."
The boy only bowed gently, like a knight dismissed by a courtier. He walked calmly down the path. Singing birds chirped songs known only to them. The rustle of the trees was the same everywhere. Whether here or at home... the rustle of trees always calmed Vesemir....
"Vesemir.....Vesemir.....Vesemir..."
He heard his name, called by a woman he didn't know. He couldn't see her, but he could hear her gentle voice. The voice soothed his nerves..... as if it allowed for a moment of oblivion..... He turned towards the voice that came from the depths of the park... far from the path.
"Vesemir.....Vesemir.....Vesemir..."
The voice rang out again. Without looking back, Vesemir set off to meet the owner of the voice. He walked calmly between the trees, which looked like..... those around Toussaint.
"Vesemir.....Vesemir.....Vesemir..."
Vesemir came across a small lake, more like a pond, 30... maybe 40 paces wide. It was surrounded on three sides by rocks, and five stone boulders protruded from the water, with inscriptions in his language.
The first boulder - No man can be called good who does not share his prosperity with others. Generosity is required for dignity in life and peace in death.
The second boulder - Valor does not make one good, yet how many good men have you met in your life's journey who were cowards? Those who possess valor do not hesitate to stand against the majority, no matter what the consequences
Third boulder - There are many traits that bear witness to a man's true nature. Compassion is what separates men from beasts. Whoever feels sympathy for his fellow man will never turn a blind eye to misfortune. He will always stand in defense of the wronged.
Fourth boulder - Honor cannot be purchased. Honor also cannot be sold, for its value is greater than all the treasure in the world. Yet one can lose it, and whoever does so shall have sullied his name for all eternity. A truly honorable man always stands behind his actions, faces every challenge and refuses to lie.
The fifth boulder - Wisdom is a virtue which one should strive to cultivate throughout one's life, for it is impossible to be so wise one cannot become even wiser. The wise know this... As we journey through life, we should seek to make wise choices. Remember, wise choices are not those which make our lives easier or simpler. Often, they make them more complicated. But always, they make us better.
A woman's voice came from the lake.
"You have already proven your honor, fighting in the tournament in Toussaint. Your victory has been entered into the books as the youngest competitor in the tournament." - The boulder glowed with a soft blue light.
Vesemir knelt on one knee, listening to the voice.
"You have already proven your valor, going into battle with your friends, fighting shoulder to shoulder with ordinary soldiers, despite Geralt's prohibition." - The boulder glowed with a red light.
The boy bowed his head, listening further as the voice described his knightly virtues.
"Compassion is something you are not very familiar with. There is a lot of anger in you, which you turned into revenge when you could not bear the events in Novigrad. That day you forgot how to be kind in truth, and not out of compulsion or etiquette. There is still hope for you." - The boulder remained unlit.
Vesemir closed his eyes. The judgment of his soul was... correct, which did not mean he was pleased with it.
"Generosity is a trait that has followed you for a long time, although no one has offered it to you for years. You have repeatedly refused to pay for the monsters you killed. The villagers of Kovir and Poviss remember this to this day. Although you were wealthy at that time, and your needs were satisfied by others, you still did not take advantage of the situation of people in need to enrich yourself." The boulder glowed with a golden light.
Vesemir only shook his head. Witchers took money for their services, but Triss and Geralt provided him with a decent living. So he did not want to take payment from people who were worse off than him. It was simply natural.
"Wisdom is something you can't boast about. When you tried to be calm, you got angry. When you could talk, you grabbed your sword. Instead of resting, you continued to chase your opponent, losing his trail and causing the death of your horse. You are still young, and you have much to learn. This world is different from ours, and I hope you will pass the tests that many will put you through." The boulder did not light up.
Vesemir approached the lake... took an uncertain step and... stood on the water. Another step. Step. Step. Step. Finally, he stood in the middle of the lake, between five boulders. Directly below it, under the water's surface, lay the sword. Aerondight. He was not worthy... yet.
.
.
.
Vesemir had been gone for a long time....way too long. Midnight was walking down the path where she had last seen him. And then she heard.
"Vesemir.....Vesemir.....Vesemir....."
Midnight wanted to run towards the female voice, but the thick trees blocked her path. Since when had something like that grown in UA? She tried to squeeze through the trees. She had to zigzag to continue.
"You have already proven your honor by fighting in the tournament in Toussaint..."
The female voice made her stop for a moment, listening. Toussaint... Vesemir was talking about the battle..... and the tournament he had participated in....he hadn't told her he had won, and Yui would have surely told her such an important thing. She continued her way through the thick undergrowth.
"You have already proven your worth, By going into battle with your friends..."
Geralt..... or the grandfather Vesemir spoke of. The man who trained him.... The Witcher....
"Compassion is something you are not very familiar with..."
Midnight felt sadness at what Vesemir had to go through. He was following the path of vengeance.... And what exactly happened in Novigrad?
"Generosity is a trait that has followed you for a long time, although no one has offered it to you for years..."
Midnight sped up her passage through the trees. For years... no one has offered it to him..... She felt pride in the boy, who should have been almost a stranger to her, and yet, she felt a warmth in her heart, listening to how he had repeatedly refused to pay.
"Wisdom is something you can't boast about. When you tried to be calm, you became angry..."
Anger...like when she had to use her quirk on him in Nezu's office because he almost threw himself at Aizawa.... How could she expect such things from him when he was just a fourteen-year-old child?
She ran out of the forest, seeing Vesemir who...walked on water!!!!
"Vesemir!"
She shouted at him, but the boy didn't move. He continued to stare at something under his feet...something under the water... And then a woman's voice rang out.
It's not time yet, knight, but you're on the right track. Come again, when you learn to control your own anger, when an act of kindness becomes your choice, not a reflex, not a compulsion. Then the sword will be yours.
Aerondight
Midnight looked around, but the voice came from the lake. Vesemir, without saying anything, slowly turned around. He looked towards her. His face expressed emotions....there were many of them....but what she recognized right away was humility.
Vesemir calmly approached Midnight.
"Lady Midnight. I need to put on my armor and we can go to where the Wraith is."
"Vesemir....what was that...who was that?"
The young witcher turned around, looking at the lake.
"It was the Lady of the Lake. A being from my world....it seems she can travel between worlds.....and she decided to test me."
"Vesemir....you walked on water..."
"It's the magic of the Lady of the Lake. I can't explain it to you. It just happens. Do you want to enter the lake?"
Midnight nodded.
"What were you looking at....in the middle of the lake?"
"It'll be easier if I show you."
Vesemir gently grabbed her hand and led her towards the water. Reason told her to assume that she would soon dip her foot into the water, but that didn't happen. She took a few slow steps, then Vesemir let go of her. Midnight clung to his arm, but didn't fall into the water any further. After a while, she let go of him, and slowly, looking at her feet, she reached the very center of the lake... only then did she notice that Vesemir had stopped halfway. Finally, she looked at the sword.
A silver blade that emanated as if with light. The sword was simple, and beautiful like medieval European knights. The decoration ending the hilt resembled a wolf's head.... Instantly, the sword glowed golden, showing markings unknown to Midnight. The glow disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
The Lady of the Lake watched Midnight from under the surface of the water, remaining unnoticed herself. She couldn't resist doing this little trick... and when the woman decided to bend down, pointing her hand towards the sword... a huge, mischievous smile spread across the Lady of the Lake's face.
Midnight wanted to try to touch the blade... the moment her hand touched the water... she herself fell into it, losing the ability to walk on water.
"You have not yet achieved the virtues of knighthood"
A female voice sounded from the lake... one could sense a note of amusement in it.
End of Chapter 16