The Witcher: Astartes Of The bear School

Chapter 7: Perfect Mutation

Bordon's trust in Lan stemmed from the latter's behavior, which was undeniably "bear school" to the core. 

Ice-cold and ruthless, this was the impression Lan had given his teacher the moment his witcher transformation completed. 

Most witchers from the bear school were emotionally detached, so much so that they would draw their swords and kill without a moment's hesitation, carrying no psychological burden. 

However, this emotional void also meant they were void of hatred. They cared only for money and their physical needs. 

These two factors summarized their motivations: they were primarily concerned with "sustaining their own lives." 

Bordon ensured Lan's safety and sustenance while teaching him the skills of a witcher. Although the process was unpleasant and even cruel, it was a fact. In Bordon's eyes, Lan's thought process should not differ too greatly from his own, so there was no need for animosity. 

But there was one question Bordon had never considered: What if Lan had retained his emotions from the very beginning? What if his witcher transformation was actually perfect?! 

The cheap blade screamed through the air. Bordon's pupils narrowed, and even the hair on his body stood on end. Regardless of how inexpensive a Velen long sword was, any sharp piece of iron had the potential to kill. 

Lan's timing in throwing the sword was crucial, so much so that Bordon thought it might be a coincidence. Given his understanding of his apprentice, Lan should not have had the battle experience to seize that fleeting moment. 

Bordon's muscles had already been primed for a charge. Just a moment prior, he had prepared to strike down the sword-and-shield soldier. 

But now, his taut muscles lost their adaptability. Though the transition from tension to relaxation could occur in less than half a second, in a sword fight, life and death could hinge on that very instant. 

He had to charge forward; his muscles had already planned this movement. Unless he wanted to fall, he couldn't change course. 

His emotionless thoughts proved to be quite helpful at this moment. 

The towering figure of the bearded man surged toward the sword-and-shield soldier like a wall. However, in that process, Bordon swayed his shoulder as if dancing. The sword sheath fixed to his shoulder shifted along with him. 

"Clang!" The Velen long sword collided sharply with the sword sheath. It was deflected away. Had it struck an empty sheath, it likely would have penetrated straight through. 

At the same moment Lan hurled the long sword, he activated his body, rushing toward Bordon. Seeing the situation unfold, Lan's brow furrowed slightly. 

A witcher who had spent who knew how long hunting monsters, even if he had overestimated Bordon's strength before engaging, had to admit the prowess of his teacher. 

But the outcome would not be changed. 

Determination gleamed like rock in Lan's eyes. 

"The one being hunted is only him; there is no conflict between us." 

Lan's words jolted the stunned halberd soldier back to reality in an instant. Faced with the changing dynamics of the battle and the imposing strength of the witcher, he had no choice. He positioned himself behind Lan, clutching his halberd. 

A powerful enemy was indeed a guarantee of alliance. 

Lan's throw was not to be underestimated; even in his current state of hunger and weakness, having just maneuvered around seventeen ghouls, he was still a witcher throwing a sword. 

Bordon's bear-like charge was momentarily staggered by its impact. Yet the seasoned witcher's experience and adaptability were terrifyingly formidable. 

Bordon did not fall due to this sudden shift in balance; instead, he gripped his sword tightly and raised his arms high. He even abandoned his torso's defense, lifting the exquisite bear school steel sword over his head. 

With the forward momentum, his power combined with his weight pressed down upon the blade. With a furious downward strike, he yelled, "Hah!" 

The sword-and-shield soldier before him was nearly paralyzed with fear. Bordon's massive form cast a heavy shadow over his face. 

He could only release his single-handed sword and brace himself behind half of his shield, gritting his teeth against the incoming blade. 

Indeed, he was a seasoned sword-and-shield soldier; even faced with a strike that a professional soldier might never have encountered, he made the most reasonable response. 

He hoped to intercept the blade with the shield before it reached its optimal striking point. But the augmented strength of the magically enhanced mutant far exceeded what an "ordinary veteran" could anticipate. 

"Thud!!!" 

"Ugh!" In the muffled sound of impact, the veteran's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. 

The incomplete shield lost its symmetrical resistance; even using both hands, it warped under the immense force. 

Bordon's bear school steel sword grazed the shield, shearing off a layer of wood and the Temerian white lily emblem. Then it cleaved into the chainmail shoulder guard. 

The captain's face contorted in agony. The small iron rings of the chainmail twisted and shattered, embedding themselves into the flesh and bone of his shoulder. 

At this moment, the captain could even hear the grinding sound of steel against bone through the vibrations. 

Blood poured down the sword and armor in torrents. 

With half of his shoulder severed, the only thing keeping his arm and body connected was the flesh beneath his armpit. 

He was finished. 

Yet Bordon's cold expression showed no signs of compassion. As the man screamed in pain, Bordon forcefully drove the sword down, withdrawing it. 

This was not merely a "draw," but a technique known in combat as a "drag cut." Amidst the screech of metal against armor, the captain's shoulder was completely severed. The blood that had already been flowing profusely now gushed in a jet. 

Bordon was not only eliminating a threat; he hoped to intimidate the other enemies as well. 

And it proved effective. 

After he severed the enforcement captain's shoulder, the two arrows that followed were deflected by Bordon's left bracer, despite their strength. 

The bolts flew off-course, merely grazing the armor and leaving white scratches. 

This display of intimidation delivered a mental shock to the enemies, but the effect would likely last only until the next round of shooting. After that, these professional soldiers would quickly regain their composure. 

But what Bordon needed was just that brief moment. 

He suddenly turned, his cold and resolute gaze locking onto Lan's. They both understood—each other's intent to kill was unwavering. 

With only a hunting knife in hand, Lan charged ahead, facing the murderous intent of his teacher. 

The blood from the arm of the human he had just severed still stained Bordon's beard. Now, Bordon's image could easily be depicted in a church as the "Enemy of God"! 

But despite this terrifying scene, Lan's steps remained steady. 

The bear school steel sword began to tremble lightly, ready for the swing. 

Lan held the hunting knife protectively against his chest, but it was a futile gesture. In terms of strength, reach, blade length, and weapon quality, there was no way for him to resist Bordon. Even surviving under this sword stroke seemed impossible. 

His swordsmanship, when compared to Bordon's, appeared crude, like mere juggling. Perhaps in the next moment, the flimsy cotton armor would be cleaved along with his body by the blade! 

But— 

"I don't need to match your swordsmanship." Lan smiled for the first time in front of Bordon. The giant's cat-like eyes narrowed slightly in response. 

In the next instant, as Lan sprinted, he twisted his body, revealing from behind him—a long halberd blade. The halberd had been wielded by the soldier, now following Lan's lead. 

In that moment, the trajectory of the halberd was corrected. The wide blade aimed directly at Bordon's torso. 

Meanwhile, Lan had deftly lowered his body as he charged, extending the dagger and his hand toward Bordon's waist. 

That was where Bordon kept his pouch.