[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-bear-school-astartes":3,"chapter-bear-school-astartes-bear-school-astartes-chapter-996":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Bear School Astartes",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1620819,2087,"Chapter 996 - 978: Attempting to Improve","bear-school-astartes-chapter-996",996,"\u003Cp>Veltrest was bleeding money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fund was certainly not approved easily, but he never mentioned it during his meetings with Lann.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the way of smart people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also understood Lann’s personality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann looked at the ledger in his hand and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems, the Knight Order’s treasury should still have a surplus of about fifty thousand Oren Coins now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann’s fingers lightly tapped on the ledger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was Veltrest injecting funds into the Knight Order, but Airetusa had also always provided support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of this together amounted to a significant sum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after deducting the operational and maintenance costs of the Knight Order, it would still be easy to spare fifty thousand Oren Coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I now need to allocate thirty-two thousand Oren Coins from the surplus, would it affect the Knight Order?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann looked up to inquire Lincoln and Stuart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Lann having traversed the Autumn Convergence crevice once again, Lincoln had grown quite a bit and now had a hint of soft, immature mustache on his lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he wanted to appear more mature at his not yet eighteen years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking for a moment, he confidently and decisively responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir, no problem at all. It’s just that the nearby projects will need an extension of the timeline. My brothers and I have long stopped pursuing material pleasures, so there is ample surplus. If you need it, these resources rightfully belong to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Lincoln.\" Lann first scratched his chin a bit awkwardly, then spoke solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And thank you to all the brothers in the Knight Order. But it is just a loan, I’ll repay the funds as soon as the situation is stable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I established ’Embers’, but will never use it to exploit anyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All of us firmly believe in you, Sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lincoln bowed slightly to Lann with both hands behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequently, Lann handed over his bank account to Lincoln for him to deposit the funds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the potential risk of the industries facing a broken financial chain was objectively addressed for Lann.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason it’s said to be ’objectively’ is because subjectively, Lann never viewed the Knight Order’s operational funds as his own property.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He promised to repay, and he certainly would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only repaying the Knight Order’s funds was not as urgent as a broken financial chain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, that was the easy discussion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the arrangement for the huge sum of thirty-two thousand Oren was finished, Lann’s expression suddenly turned serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before this, despite some awkwardness, the overall atmosphere was still mainly relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt, who was leaning against the wall nearby, looked at Lann unexpectedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before coming here, he hadn’t mentioned there was anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Lincoln and Stuart seemed to have anticipated this, their expressions remained unchanged and calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plush ball sitting on a small chair beside Lann also let out a puzzled ’meow’, then its gaze flickered between the two people opposite and its boss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You all...\" Lann’s eyes squinted slightly, \"haven’t given up the idea of undergoing the Grass Trial, have you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the familiar and chilling term, Geralt’s body instinctively straightened, his relaxed stance against the wall turned upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Demon Hunter’s feline eyes glanced at the two Knights in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disbelief in his gaze was abundantly clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would anyone wish to undergo the Grass Trial? Isn’t slitting your own throat more straightforward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the reaction from the two opposite told Geralt: yes, they yearned for what even Demon Hunters avoided—the ’torture’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lincoln pressed his lips, the soft, immature mustache on them also quivering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stuart remained as cold and determined as ever, like the steel part on the notch of his jawline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, the Embers Knight Order was the first armed force Lann built with his own hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although in [Memory Deep Dive], Lann directed the war of Extinct Star from his perspective, with unrivaled interstellar battleships and thousands of Superman Warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those were memories of an observer, nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ’Embers’ were the first team he personally organized and directed. He felt proud of these Sintra men for reaching this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nonetheless, while they venerated him like a deity, this sense of autonomy also made him feel vexed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evidently, even though Lann repeatedly decreed ’the Grass Trial is a dangerous and unethical operation,’ these knights still wanted to risk it to enhance themselves and keep up with Lann.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They even desired to undergo the ’trial.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann’s power, as of today, had reached an indefinable extent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But during the Northern War, merely the glint in his eyes after a battle on the battlefield was enough to terrify Niflgaard’s veteran soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even just passing by those Niflgaard troops could trigger their ’Superman Phobia.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Limb weakness, mental confusion...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, he looked seriously at the mere two Knights opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those Knights unwaveringly met his gaze, sweat beading on their foreheads yet their bodies remained still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stubborn as rocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Stuart was older than Lann, Lann felt—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They resembled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That determined to stubborn gaze, he must have worn the same expression when Terry advised him in Vizima not to cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thought of it, decided on it, then carry it out relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann held his serious gaze on them for nearly a minute, and the beads of sweat had gathered at their chins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, no one conceded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... go outside first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Lann shook his head and told them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Ember Knights breathed a big sigh of relief and then walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the headache I’m facing, Geralt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting on the large chair, Lann propped his chin and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They are fixated on the trial of grasses to keep up with my combat intensity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alas, the battle of Sodden Mountain stimulated them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the knowledge of Demon Hunter transformation cannot be passed on.\" Geralt stood by the wall and reminded Lann calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the message you brought to Ker Morhan, remember?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I certainly remember. I don’t covet to make my Knight Order a group of Demon Hunters, you’re well aware.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann responded to Geralt’s questioning with a helpless voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt nodded silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself was a Demon Hunter, so he knew better how abnormal Lann’s performance was at the time, even for the Demon Hunter community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His combat intensity was not within the normal range at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So whether out of trust or something else, Geralt did not believe Lann would spread the trial of grasses within his Knight Order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... Stuart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, Geralt then struggled to utter a name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stuart Lynne, son of Hacksaw Lyn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The torture and pain he suffered in the war, his persistence and toughness, were well-known among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And more importantly... whether it was Geralt, Lann, or even all the people who survived in the original refugee group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dandelion, Ged, Ciri, they all felt that they owed Hacksaw a debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A huge debt paid with many lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stuart himself never spoke of these things, but his silence didn’t mean Lann and the others felt they could forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only him...\" Lann pinched his forehead in distress, \"I just can’t refuse his request.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He will still insist on fighting, but that body is just a step away from being disabled, entering the battlefield is asking for death. Unless...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless he becomes a Demon Hunter, and the body altered after the transformation is not only stronger, but can also undergo more surgeries to correct the disabled body through crystal cultivation technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The trial of grasses is too dangerous, not just the success rate, but also the waves caused after succeeding. You understand, Lann.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he only said these words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have the same old problem, Geralt.\" Lann shook his head and smiled quietly, \"When faced with a dilemma, you first think of not choosing, trying to have it both ways. As if in the end, you can really not choose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt kept his head down and remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yennefer had split up and reconciled with him many times because of this trait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this hesitance and entanglement between choices in difficult situations also stemmed from his inherently kind nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will try to improve the trial of grasses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Lann had to make the decision himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, what about those watching you and your Knight Order? When they see this path does work, then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geralt said with a frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he looked up, what he saw were Lann’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes without any hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And then?\" The young Demon Hunter’s lips slightly curled up, but there was no smile in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By that time, I think whether it’s the situation or my strength and influence, it should be enough to handle these matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Geralt relaxed a lot, \"Well, that would be even better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t stay too long at High Hill Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lann came mainly to transfer the urgently needed thirty-two thousand Oren Coins to the account.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And took the chance to take a look at the castle that now belonged to him, a place he was visiting for the first time since Veltrest had given it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had a lot to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After descending from the mountain, he had to head north from southern Velen, toward the border of Redania and Temeria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two countries divided north and south with the naturally directional flow of the Ponta River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Novigrad was located at the border of the two countries, on the side near Redania, at the delta of the Ponta River’s estuary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nominally the freedom city belonging to Redania.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northern people often said ’Novigrad is the capital of the world.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city possessed astonishing wealth, influence, and strategic position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in the north, if business hasn’t reached Novigrad, no one would think you’re doing big trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor would anyone consider you a successful merchant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when Geralt said that the shapeshifter named Dudu had businesses in Novigrad, suitable to become Lann’s asset manager, Lann found it reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the city’s prosperity was ultimately limited to its vicinity, and the journey from Velen to Novigrad was still filled with poor mountains and bad waters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even with a Demon Hunter, plus an ’big guy’ whose odd frame was noticeable even with the hood on, trouble still came knocking.\u003C\u002Fp>",1717,"2026-06-06T10:40:28.727Z",1,"novelbin.me","06ad875569d299ab2749cbecf6c130c9cfe59c0eb71e442e5920c9267afba59c","bear-school-astartes-chapter-997","bear-school-astartes-chapter-995",1043,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbear-school-astartes-cover.jpg"]