He stood by a narrow window, the wind brushing snow across the cracked frame. His medallion rested against his chest, still warm with residual magic.
Status Review
With a thought, Cain summoned the familiar flicker of the System Interface, hidden from all but him.
> [System Access – Open]
User: Cain | Age: 17
Race: Half-Elf (Mutated)
Bloodline: Elder Blood – Stage Two Active
Titles: Dreamwalker, Campfire Chef, Twin Blade
System Sync: 58%
Unspent Stat Points: 8
Inventory: Bag of Holding (97/100 slots)
Coins: 470 Novigrad crowns, 360 Temerian orens, 190 Redanian florens
Key Gear Equipped:
Whisperfang (Runed Dagger)
Traveler's Cloak of Everdusk
Bladed Bracers of Kelemvor
Unclaimed Trait: Flamebound Mutagen Core (Pending Integration)
Cain hovered his hand above the interface, then narrowed his focus.
> "System… show me Elder Blood. What am I missing?"
> [Elder Blood Query Received]
Stage Two Activated: Enhanced magical sensitivity, dream-channeling, and partial ancestry awareness.
To Unlock Full Capabilities:
Complete a Mythical-tier Quest tied to bloodline memory or spiritual confrontation.
Reach System Sync 75%
Locate a Place of Power tied to Elven origins or pre-Conjunction resonance
Optional Path: Seek Echoes of Lara Dorren through ancestral connection or powerful artifact attunement.
Cain's jaw tightened. "So I need power—and a trial rooted in my past."
The thought stirred both anticipation… and a faint whisper he hadn't heard since the dream in the snow.
---
He switched focus.
> "System, can I trade items or weapons for specific gear?"
> [Trading System Access Granted]
Items can be exchanged equal to or below the rarity of the item offered.
Items of Rare or Epic rank can only be traded for gear of the same tier or three items of lower rank.
Mythical items can only be obtained through Mythical Quests, Legendary Trials, or Divine Events.
Cain nodded, already thinking.
> "Trade request: Two weapons—Hunter's Edge and Ironfang Broadsword. In exchange, I want two items…"
Scroll of Restoration (Mythical)
Elven Blade – Moon-Touched (Rare) – lightweight curved sword, glow-infused, not overpowered
> [Calculating…]
Hunter's Edge: Rare
Ironfang Broadsword: Epic
Scroll of Restoration: Mythical – Not available for trade. Requires Mythical-tier item or quest.
Moon-Touched Blade: Rare – Eligible. Trade Confirmed.
> Proceed with trade?
Cain hesitated.
He wasn't sure why, but something in his chest ached at the idea of letting the dagger go. It had saved his life.
But he made his decision.
> Confirm Trade: Yes.
> [Trade Complete]
Acquired: Moon-Touched Blade (Rare – Elven Heritage)
Whisper-thin edge, curved for high dexterity users
Slight radiant aura improves visibility in darkness
Note: Scroll of Restoration remains locked. Requires divine-tier event or mythical currency.
Cain gritted his teeth. "So that's the price of legacy."
---
He unsheathed the Moon-Touched Blade and gave it a slow spin. The weapon flowed like part of his arm—natural, weightless, and familiar.
He exhaled.
The path forward was clearer than ever: find the roots of his bloodline, earn the right to unlock its power, and—one day—create a future where Witchers could live full lives again.
And he'd start with Callum. Tomorrow.
Cain sheathed the Moon-Touched Blade and leaned against the stone wall of the hallway outside the great hall, the medallion against his chest still faintly pulsing.
"System," he asked, voice barely above a whisper. "I have 8 stat points now. Is there another way to use them besides directly increasing attributes?"
[Stat Allocation Inquiry Received]
Standard Use:
Direct increases to Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
Advanced Use Options:
Bank stat points for major breakthroughs or bloodline events.
Use 4+ stat points to unlock rare skill slots or passive enhancements.
Use 6+ stat points to enhance bonded abilities (requires twin-linked synergy).
Current Bond Status: Callum – Sync Level: 71%
Cain raised an eyebrow. "Enhancing a bond… that might be worth it."
But something deeper stirred in his chest. He wasn't just thinking of himself anymore.
"System… is there a way I can use something—an item, a potion, anything—to help Callum grow? A permanent boost. Without cheating the system or breaking balance?"
[Request Registered: Ally Enhancement]
Direct stat boosts to allies require one of the following:
A consumable item or potion designated for shared use.
A bonded trait unlock via training, trial, or divine event.
Gifted Gear from high-tier chests (not usable by user).
Search complete. One eligible item found from recent trade value.
Name: Flask of Shared Growth (Rare – Consumable)Effect: Grants a permanent +1 Constitution and +1 Wisdom to target upon ingestion. Increases bond sync rate with donor.Note: Only one use. Item cannot be refunded, duplicated, or resold.
Would you like to convert 2 Rare trade points to synthesize the item?
Cain didn't hesitate.
"Yes. Do it."
[Flask of Shared Growth Acquired – Added to Inventory]
He held the small silver bottle in his palm. The seal bore the shape of two wolves crossing paths.
"I'll give this to Callum tomorrow," he murmured. "He's earned it as much as I have."
Cain then paused, considering his remaining stat points. "System… show me my bonded options next time I meditate. I want to enhance what we've built."
[Request Saved – Meditation will now prompt Bond Trait Enhancement Options (4+ Stat Points Required)]
Cain stood quietly in the torchlight, the wind howling beyond Kaer Morhen's walls, clutching the gift meant for his friend.
Not just a Witcher. Not just a warrior. But a brother on the path.