The induction ceremony of the seven newcomers took place at the Oath Keeper Hall, a dark and oppressive old building of independence.

A brazier is set up every five paces in the hall, and they are the only source of light in the Hall of Oath, illuminating the portraits hanging on the walls around it—the people in the paintings are all excellent witchers who have made outstanding contributions to the eradication of evil and upholding justice.

After Rhodes dies, his portrait will definitely be on the wall.

Wren thought so, and then he realized that his heart was surprisingly calm at this moment—was it because Rod's earlier passionate words touched him? Have you identified with the 'witcher' identity that you have avoided for a long time?

"No, it's not just because of Rhodes."

The little man in Wren's left ear jumped out at the right time, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone, "Admit it, you are such a contradictory person, you desire to live for yourself, but you can't do it as freely as you appear; You don't want to take responsibility, but you have the strength to take responsibility on your shoulders. So you're distressed, you're struggling, you think you hate restraint and control, but you're enjoying it to death, aren't you? For you, just add a 'have to do' prefix to anything, and everything becomes easy and reassuring - whether it's helping your father kill someone and setting fires, or following Rod's orders to become a witcher, you love the feeling of being arranged, since you were born, and even since your last birth. ”

Am I not involuntarily?!

Wren thought angrily, I had already planned everything, who told them not to play according to the routine! I passed the test inexplicably, and I signed such a damn contract, do I still have a choice?

"Can't help yourself? Come on, if you think about your experience in the past year, the last time you had such a strong sense of 'belonging' in a certain place, was it when your mother was still alive and your father hadn't gone crazy yet, right? ”

The little man in his right ear also jumped out and said gently, "We can't lie to you, you know, just like Jimini can't lie to Pinocchio." You loved those days in training camp, yes, after you were born into this world, you always felt a little out of place with your surroundings, and didn't that feeling even stronger after your mother's death? But this year's life feels very real to you—maybe not free, but it's solid enough. I know, it's easy to be a pure good person or a pure bad person, but the hardest thing is the people who are caught in the middle, not good enough and not bad enough, like you - stop dwelling up, do something for yourself and for the world, just like Lord Rhodes said, not for mission, not for faith, just for other children in this world no longer lose their mothers, fathers and daughters. ”

"yes, do something, like the man in the painting hanging on the walls around here."

The little man in the left ear said jokingly: "Maybe one day they will hang your portrait too, and there will be latecomers staring at you stupidly in the painting with tears in their eyes——"

Damn, shut up.

Wren thought to himself, didn't I live to die of old age?

"Of course you can, there is such a way,"

The little people in the left and right ears said in unison: "Get stronger, keep getting stronger, and become stronger than everyone you've already met and haven't had time to meet!" ”

"I beg your pardon for not preparing a more decent welcoming ceremony."

Just as Wren finally let out a breath of turbidity, Rod spoke first.

Behind him, stood several demon hunters, including Valolet, who were obviously unable to participate in the ceremony, "As you may know, the Demon Hunter team only starts the recruitment process when the number of manpower is lost to a certain extent, and the addition of new people means the departure of the predecessors, and it also means that the evil ones are still widespread in the world. I thank you for coming, but it's not something to celebrate. ”

"Adam, Jack, Grover, Isidore, Wren, O'Connor, Penelope, the thirty-one lads who stood in front of me a year ago, are now the only seven of you left."

Rhodes paused his gaze on the man's face as he pronounced his name, "I'm so proud of you for standing out, and I'm sorry for the young people who had no choice but to leave—I know that you've spent a whole year together, and the friendships you've built through hard work and sweat are invaluable." Thankfully, the ten who took the teleportation scrolls were removed, and the rest of the Eliminators would have been given their rightful positions in the clerical system if they wanted to, even though you were in different positions now, but still had the same beacons. ”

"Wollette,"

Speaking of this, Rod turned his head to look behind him, "As their combat mentor and career initiator, do you have anything you want to say to these young brothers?" ”

"I don't have much to say, sir."

Valolet was silent for a moment before opening his mouth, "Maybe there's a sentence: I hope you rookies live longer, at least don't die before me." Although I have worked hard to teach you, and you have struggled to learn, you seven remaining fellows have learned some real things, so don't die too soon, at least not before me. ”

"I'm not sure if that's what they want to hear, but sure, if there's a little more encouragement—"

Rod smiled helplessly, and Valolet immediately reminded, "With all due respect, my lord, you asked me to say what I wanted, but you didn't let me say what they wanted to hear. ”

"Okay, no problem, let's move on to the next step."

Rod nodded, then clapped his hands.

"Borrowed, please let ......"

A woman's voice sounded behind the witchers, and as they moved, a young nun, who had been blocked behind the human wall, stepped out and stood in front of the seven newcomers, holding a tray in both hands with seven small shiny things on it.

What a beautiful woman.

Wren muttered silently, and the others were stunned when they saw the woman, apparently they all had the same thoughts as Wren - her hair was silvery-white, her eyes were pale blue, the bridge of her nose was high, and her pink lips were full and firm, like a bud that was about to bloom. It was indeed a beautiful woman, but soon the eyes of the newlyweds were on the tray in her hand, where seven dark gold round badges were neatly arranged, small and delicate, but a little larger than the largest button.

On the surface of the coat of arms, there is a cross-shaped relief composed of arrows and swords.

"Take them up, take up your glory, and hold up your duty."

Rod's face was solemn, and his voice was full of majesty, "Young brothers, from now on, you are no longer ordinary people, nor are you flesh and blood. Remember, remember, that darkness is everywhere, and the splendor of Tinos will always be with you, and do not disgrace it, and do not dim it. ”

"Do not bring shame or darkness."

The newlyweds chanted in unison, and then in turn took their badges from the tray that the young nun was carrying.

Wren's outstretched hand hesitated slightly, but after only half a second, he held the badge in his palm—it was heavier than it looked, and holding it was like holding a heart.

"So, what kind of treatment do we get?"

This was a thought that suddenly flashed in Wren's mind, and he blurted it out without thinking about it, and before the tears in the eyes of his colleagues could flow, he was swept back by Wren's inappropriate words like thunder, and the original solemn and serious atmosphere instantly became mysterious.

"Treatment?"

Rhodes was visibly stunned for a moment, and the others looked at them even more in astonishment, for in their eyes, it was like a clown in a burlesque costume suddenly breaking into a serious funeral, not a serious offense, but enough to cause a headache and embarrassment. After a while, the young nun couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Remuneration, salary, remuneration, income from services...... Call it whatever you want. ”

In fact, Wren also regretted saying that sentence at the moment, and he had to try his best to make his voice seem innocent and silly, but fortunately, cheekiness has always been one of his strengths, "Please don't get me wrong, Lord Rhodes, I'm just- I'm just curious, yes, just curious, to be honest, I don't care about making money at all, compared to the great cause we practice, a few stinky money is nothing." ”

"I see, I see. It is indeed my negligence not to give an account of the issue of treatment in advance, yes, no matter how lofty the ideals, he needs to fill his stomach - I am glad you have raised this question, Wren, and I may take this to give a formal explanation. ”

Rod smiled gently, "As you know, the Demon Hunters are bound to travel from place to place during their missions, and with the Demon Hunter Emblem, you can get clean water and food in any church dedicated to Tinos in the world, as well as a temporary place to stay, all for free. As for the salary, naturally, a reasonable salary is also what you deserve, and under normal circumstances, each of you will receive an income of two hundred silver coins per month, plus a subsidy of one hundred silver coins. ”

"This, so much money? Our Lord is above......"

Jack, who came from a farming family, couldn't help but open his mouth wide, and Adam poked his head over and glared at Jack fiercely with the disgruntled eyes that had just glared at Wren.

Wren noticed his movements and couldn't help but pout. One hundred bronze and one silver, one hundred silver and one gold, this is the common exchange method now, and in other words, the so-called 'strongest combat power in the temple' demon hunter is only worth three gold coins per month - of course, it is all for justice.

"Yes, Jack, you can get so much for the time being. In fact, I've begged Mistress Myccera to have a meeting to revisit the issue of the Witch Squad's salary, perhaps a little bit higher - but she's too busy, and I think I need to find another opportunity to remind her. ”

Rhodes smiled kindly at Jack, and then his tone became serious again, "As I said, under normal circumstances, each of you will receive an income of two hundred silver coins per month, plus a subsidy of one hundred silver coins, which the temple will continue to pay for the rest of your life. There is one more thing that I do not want to say, but it must be said that if you die one day, then your family will be beneficial, and their future life will be cared for by the Temple. ”

"So,"

After Rod finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Wren, "Do you have any other questions, Wren?" ”

"No, sir."

Wren clenched the badge in his hand and said calmly.

No problems and no family.

"So, okay, now let's talk about something else...... I know that during the year of training Lady Helen has helped you a lot, both intellectually and intellectually, but now that the camp is closed and Helen is back to her work as a scholar, although she has asked me to convey to you her wish that 'if the lads still need my advice, then they can come and visit you at any time', I do not advise you to do so out of politeness and respect. ”

Rodwin smiled and said, "It was Dear Sister Oriel who brought the badge to you just now, as the officer of the hunting camp, she will be responsible for your daily necessities and logistics in the days to come. She's from the seminary like you—"

With that, he glanced at Wren again, "Hmm...... Like most of you, I came from seminary, just a few years before you. If it is fashionable to say that she is not only your affairs officer, but also your senior sister or senior, on this basis, I believe that she can take on part of the work of the former Lady Helen, help you sort out your emotions, unpack the knots, so that you can get through the initial adjustment period as soon as possible - as a newcomer, it is normal to feel confused at a certain point and in a certain situation, if you want to, you can talk to Oriel at that time. ”

"As Lord Rhodes said, I'm happy to be able to help you in any way I can."

Oriel smiled and said, "Of course, if you're confused about combat, then don't expect good advice from a person who can wrestle on a flat floor - I haven't forgotten that I was called 'nerdy' Oriel when I was in seminary." ”

"Books, nerds? Ah, my lord, I remember, you are that Oriel, nerdy Oriel! ”

Adam was stunned, and his gaze finally moved away from the badge in his palm, "The best graduate six years ago not only ranked first in all his subjects, but was also added by Archbishop Mysella before he graduated, and even joined the temple directly after leaving the seminary to participate in teaching affairs!" This is an honor that no student has ever had! ”

As soon as these words came out, the rest of the people also turned their heads and ears, and looked at Oriel with more respect in their eyes - only Wren frowned and did not speak, feeling like a countryman who had just entered the city.

"Huh? It's been so long, have you ever heard of my nickname? ”

Oriel's face was slightly red, and she seemed a little overwhelmed.

"Of course, professors often use your example to motivate us to study hard."

"That's right, they all say that you are the second woman after Archbishop Mysella to graduate from the seminary with perfect marks!"

"Father Louis even mentioned that if you run for the upper echelons of the temple in the future, then he will definitely vote for you—"

"This is simply so emotional, when you say this, my eyes seem to have seen the old school and teachers again."

Oriel sighed softly and smiled softly, "Perhaps, maybe I once had some fame, but don't forget, now that you have officially become a witcher, you are already worthy of admiration in the eyes of others!" ”

Tsk, this woman is not only beautiful, but also has a very powerful brain.

Wren peeked left and right, and sure enough, his colleagues unconsciously straightened their chests, and no matter how much they suppressed, they still showed a bit of self-satisfaction.

Is it 'that he was added to the eyes of Archbishop Mycella before he graduated, and even joined the temple directly after leaving the seminary'?

Why did the person who was so favored by that old woman of Mycera come to the demon hunting team led by Rhodes as an affairs officer?

Wren shook his head, pushing these nonsense thoughts out of his mind, after all, instead of thinking about such nonsense, it is better to worry about when he will receive the first mission and what kind of enemy he will encounter.

Time passed quickly, and after a few more speeches by Rod, the induction ceremony was finally over.

"I said, how could you have asked that question? Don't you feel awkward? ”

Not long after Wren walked out of the Oath Keeper Hall, Adam caught up with him and whispered, "You're just- really- as if we were desperately trying to become witchers for money—"

"Why, you didn't think about how much you earned in this business?"

Wren glanced at him and said helplessly.

"I thought about it, but we're not here for the money after all — hey, forget it. You know, Wren, in the final days of training camp, I thought you had the same heart and the same feelings as us, especially in that final battle, and I was completely comfortable fighting alongside you - but now I realize that I still can't understand you. ”

"Oh, what a hell! I beg you not to say such a sensual thing again, okay, brother?! ”

Wren squeezed the words out between his teeth, and Adam's eyes lit up.

"Yes, brother."