[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hogwarts-john-wick":3,"chapter-hogwarts-john-wick-hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-403":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Hogwarts’ John Wick",{"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},1646187,2109,"Chapter 403 403: 403: Kaer Morhen & Vesemir's Swordplay","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-403",403,"\u003Cp>Vesemir's skill at harvesting materials was far more practiced and efficient than John's, even with all of John's alchemist training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Working together, the two of them had the manticore fully processed and packed up before the snowstorm rolled in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something you bought off a wizard?\" Vesemir asked with a curious glance as John stuffed the beast's teeth and feathers into a small handbag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even an ordinary person could tell there was something strange about a bag that never filled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surplus—the lion's head and claws—was lashed to Boro's back for transport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, there was still an entire manticore's carcass left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It really was a big one. Honestly, this thing was no easy kill.\" With John's permission, Vesemir collected some of the beast's blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There wasn't one of these around last year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir led the way, with John walking beside him, leading Boro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They followed the riverbed forward, crossed another ravine, and climbed onto a mountain path that wound upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John paused at one point, gazing into the distance at a crumbling fortress huddled among the rocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It bore the scars of old wars—battered and half in ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the foundations of the defensive walls remained; a few towers and the gate still stood, along with the massive, thick-walled central keep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John's voice was thoughtful as he said, \"Looks like the witchers' situation hasn't exactly been prosperous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir's eyes held a trace of nostalgia as he walked ahead, saying, \"We're not exactly welcoming to just anyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John only shrugged. Naturally, he regarded this man as a witcher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the history walls of Jovonovich, John had already guessed at the witchers' situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Vesemir's presence here only confirmed for him that the people of Jovonovich were different from those here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never seen his uncles wear those medallions, and their pupils had been perfectly normal in color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If John wanted to understand the witchers, he had to find one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver sword in his hand had all but guided him to them, and so he had followed its lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow had already buried their boots up to the ankles by the time they entered the castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Boro in the stable by the gate, John unloaded the gear strapped to the horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir watched him work, then remarked suddenly, \"That's a fine bearskin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shame about the shoddy craftsmanship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John shrugged. \"I only finished half of it. They weren't too fond of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fair enough,\" Vesemir said with a brief nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This way.. Yadani.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the last living master among the witchers, Vesemir treated John with notable courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He led John deeper into the castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked through dim corridors and pushed open the oak doors to the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The place was quiet and cold, as most witchers had yet to return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Witchers usually come back in the winter. This is where we can stay undisturbed,\" Vesemir explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll take you to find a room first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John casually set the griffin's head down on a table, then walked over to a tree hung with many medallions and paused in front of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir stepped up beside him. \"These are the last mementos left to us by those who've gone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many medallions on that tree. Witchers were not welcome in the world...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some died at the claws of monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others died at the hands of humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither monster nor man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being caught in between was the hardest lot of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've never thought about changing that?\" John asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir glanced at him and shook his head. \"Witchers remain neutral, lad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But neutrality—don't you know all too well what it brings?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John's gaze swept over the hall, lingering on the walls still bearing scars from the old wars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that why you destroyed the walls of Balvic?\" Vesemir clearly knew this witcher—knew his deeds even better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was their choice,\" John said casually. \"I won't protect people who throw stones at me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young witcher's clarity of thought surprised Vesemir. If he wanted to teach this boy properly, it would take some effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your swordsmanship is impressive, but it's not a witcher's way of fighting.\" Vesemir stepped to the side, tossed some logs into the hearth, and with a wave of his hand sent a ripple of heat to ignite them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had crossed blades with John before—though briefly, it had been enough to sense the young man's unusual fighting style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A witcher's combat relied on weapons, enhanced physique, and those Signs that wizards often scorned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But John had drawn a wand, looking nothing like a witcher at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truth is, until not long ago, I didn't even know I was a witcher,\" John said, resting his wand across a pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empty pot instantly filled with clear water, leaving Vesemir momentarily stunned as he had been about to scoop snow to melt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a simple 'Aguamenti',\" John said with a faint smile, then turned his head toward the corridor. \"The rooms are over there, right? I'll pick one for myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir gestured for him to go ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John went to pick a room, surveying the old stone chambers that looked as if they might collapse and bury someone at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he chose one that was relatively decent. Two mice scurried about beneath the bed, only to dart away in fright when he startled them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped the bedframe with his wand, and the dust gathered into a ball and swept itself out through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Magic is convenient,\" Vesemir said from where he leaned against the doorframe, \"but relying too much on it will dull your swordsmanship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes shifted to John's silver sword, and he gave a kindly smile. \"We still have time before the others return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then please, teach me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John and Vesemir stepped outside the castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow was falling, but it barely affected the two witchers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As witchers, their bodies were far more resilient than ordinary humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir also drew his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was John's first time witnessing a witcher's true fighting style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir's swordplay was steady and direct, utterly free of unnecessary flourishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every stroke of his blade was aimed solely at defeating his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with his Level 6 mastery of the greatsword, John found himself repeatedly forced to give ground under the older man's attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Level 7 swordsmanship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John's eyes narrowed as he gripped his sword in his right hand and met Vesemir's blade head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the peak of human swordplay. After more than twenty exchanges, John found Vesemir's sword tip pressing against his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to John's disheveled state, Vesemir looked calm and at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like Dumbledore with a sword…\" John muttered, lowering his blade in faint frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time someone had put this kind of pressure on him had been people like Dumbledore or Voldemort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In pure swordsmanship, John simply couldn't mount an effective counterattack against Vesemir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wand slid out from John's sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't just a swordsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Protego!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir's sword was deflected aside as John's wand flared, sending a jet of white light at the older witcher—only for it to crash against a yellowish shield Vesemir had raised with his left hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aard Sign.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Expelliarmus!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shockwave sent John flying backward, and at the same time Vesemir's sword was knocked out of his grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John rolled twice across the snow to bleed off the force of the blow, then rubbed his shoulder—he felt as if he'd been rammed by a bull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir, meanwhile, glanced at his own sword lying some distance away, stuck in a snowdrift, momentarily taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John walked over, pulled the blade free, and handed it back to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're the finest swordsman I've ever met,\" John said, his tone entirely respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he asked, \"If I wanted to learn from you, what would it cost me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir sheathed the sword and shook his head. \"No price. I can already tell you don't belong to any known school.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long ago, one witcher school had betrayed the others. That was why Vesemir had tested John—to see if he was a spy from that school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he was certain this young man was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Vesemir had bested him in swordplay, John's unpredictable use of magic made Vesemir doubt he could guarantee victory in a real fight without preparation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir's own school relied heavily on preparation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was that past betrayal that had once plunged Kaer Morhen into flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Few from his school remained, and bringing in a promising recruit like John would be an invaluable investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I haven't said this yet,\" Vesemir said as he stepped up to John and offered his hand. \"Welcome to Kaer Morhen, Yadani.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This winter, I'll train you—to make you a true witcher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>John clasped his hand and smiled. \"It's my honor, Mentor Vesemir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vesemir's weathered face softened into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Witcher officially became part of Kaer Morhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the snow deepened, more and more witchers returned to the keep from every corner of the Continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Vesemir's favorite yet most bittersweet time of the year. His only wish was that all the witchers he had personally trained would come back, safe and whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But reality rarely granted such wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The witchers returned—fewer than the year before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fleeting shadow of sorrow crossed Vesemir's face. Among this group, he was both mentor and father figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last to arrive was a man with milk-white hair, carrying two swords across his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>o(*￣▽￣*)ブSupport and Read 12 Chapters ahead: Patreon\u002FDragonel\u003C\u002Fp>",1581,"2026-06-06T11:45:53.362Z",1,"novelbin.me","01dad0986fb1395f94aa376a992637459c2ce48215ba2e3bc44415fc30467d60","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-404","hogwarts-john-wick-chapter-402",577,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhogwarts-john-wick-cover.jpg"]