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Chapter 13 - The Path to the Forge

Seventeen.

Cain could hardly believe it.

A decade had passed since he first woke up in a snow-covered alley with golden eyes and no memory of this world. Now he stood at the edge of adulthood—not just in years, but in strength, skill, and clarity.

Beside him, Callum—broad-shouldered, red-haired and steady—sharpened his gaze as the Kaer Morhen bells rang once across the valley. Their time had come.

The years of brutal training, monster theory, daily sparring, meditation, alchemy, and Signs had transformed them from clever boys into something else entirely.

Prodigies. Wolves in the making.

Even Lambert had stopped calling them "pups."

They stood before the council chamber now, where Vesemir, Geralt, Lambert, Eskel, and Coën had gathered.

"You've surpassed every mark," Vesemir said, voice low with pride. "It's time."

"To retrieve your medallions," Geralt added, "you must reach the Forge.

"No weapons. No potions," Lambert smirked. "Only your instincts and each other."

Callum bowed his head. Cain remained still—his heart quiet, but steady.

That night, Cain sat alone near the fire and called forth his Status Window, reflecting on everything he had gained through blood, time, and perseverance.

[Status Window – Cain]Age: 17Race: Half-Elf (Mutated)Class: Witcher (Adept)Bloodline: Elder Blood – Stage Two Activated

Titles: Twin Blade, Dreamwalker, Ember of the Wolf, Campfire ChefReputation: Kaer Morhen – Respected / School of the Wolf – AscendantSystem Sync: 58%

🔹 AttributesStatValueNotes

Strength -14:Exceptional body control & leverage

Dexterity-18: Lightning reflexes & Sign control

Constitution-16: High endurance, toxin resistance

Intelligence-14: Strategic awareness, tactical creativity

Wisdom-15: Sign manipulation, spirit sensitivity

Charisma-9: Quiet leader, commanding in combatLuck

(Divine)?Variable – Divine Trait Active

Unspent Stat Points: 4

🔹 Inventory

Unopened Chests:

Rare Equipment Chest (x13)

Epic Equipment Chest (x2)

Alchemy & Ingredients:

Large assortment of herbs, mutagens, rare alchemical cores (organized)

Unique Monster Extracts: Noonwraith, Fiend, Basilisk

Quest Items:

Codex: Advanced Monster Theory

Recipe Scrolls (Unlearned)

Hunter's Edge (Rare Dagger – Returns when thrown)

Equipment:

Stored in Armory until Medallion Trial complete

Cain hovered over the unopened chests, fingers tingling with temptation.

But not yet. Not until they returned.

The Forge awaited.

[New Quest Activated: "Trial of the Forge" – Legendary Difficulty]Objective: Reach the Forge and retrieve your medallion.Restrictions: No weapons. No potions.Companions: Callum (Bonded Partner)

Rewards:

Official Witcher Status

Wolf Medallion (Soulbound)

Choice of First Forged Weapon (Mystery Reward)

+2 Stat Points | +1 Ability Slot | +Rare Skill Unlock

Failure: Forfeit the Trial. No second attempt.

Cain stood slowly, the firelight dancing along his white hair.

Tomorrow, they would walk a path none returned from unchanged.

And when they did return?

They would no longer be Witchers in training.

They would be Wolves.

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