Chapter 40: Advanced Waterbending
POV: Adam
The week following the blizzard transformed Kaer Morhen's courtyard into a laboratory for elemental experimentation, melting snow providing abundant raw material for waterbending techniques that pushed beyond basic healing into applications that conventional understanding couldn't adequately map. Adam stood in the center of practice space that had been cleared of obstacles, his hands weaving patterns that pulled moisture from the air into forms that defied gravity and natural law.
Ice manipulation. Water's solid state responds differently than liquid, but follows similar principles.
The technique began as curiosity about thermal control, wondering whether waterbending could influence temperature as well as movement and shape. The results exceeded expectations—water froze according to mental direction rather than ambient conditions, creating ice that maintained structural integrity despite environmental factors that should have caused immediate melting.
Ice spear. Projectile weapon that could penetrate armor.
The crystalline lance that formed in his hands possessed edges sharp enough to cut steel, its surface gleaming with light that spoke of magical enhancement rather than simple frozen water. When he hurled it at the practice dummy positioned twenty meters away, the spear punched through wood and straw with impact that left splinters scattered across packed earth.
Versatile. Water is incredibly versatile—weapon, shield, healing tool depending on need.
"My turn," Lambert said with enthusiasm that suggested he'd been waiting for opportunity to test defensive applications against live targets. "Freeze me. I want to know what it feels like."
Hazard pay. He specifically mentioned hazard pay for this.
Adam triggered flash-freeze technique that encased Lambert in ice from feet to shoulders, crystalline coating that immobilized him completely while allowing breathing through carefully positioned air gaps. The witcher's expression cycled through surprise, discomfort, and something approaching philosophical acceptance.
Deeply unpleasant. He said it's deeply unpleasant.
"Interesting sensation," Lambert said when Adam released the technique, ice sublimating into vapor that left only dampness to mark its passage. "Like being embraced by winter itself. Effective restraint method."
Effective. And that's just basic temperature manipulation.
Vesemir's assignment of Adam as fortress medic reflected practical assessment rather than arbitrary authority, the old witcher understanding that available healing changed training protocols in ways that enhanced rather than diminished educational effectiveness.
Deliberate injuries. They're training harder because they know healing is available.
The arrangement proved beneficial for everyone involved—witchers could push physical limits without concern for recovery time, while Adam gained experience treating trauma that ranged from simple cuts to complex fractures that would normally require weeks of immobilization.
Greater Healing. More MP intensive but works faster than basic techniques.
The advanced technique required concentration that felt like performing surgery while riding a galloping horse, channeling magical energy through pathways that demanded precision rather than simple power application. But the results justified the complexity—bones set themselves, torn muscle regenerated, and blood loss reversed itself through supernatural intervention.
Invaluable. Geralt called me invaluable to group survival.
Each healing session provided experience that accumulated toward mastery, waterbending element level rising through constant practical application rather than theoretical study. The magic responded to need with eagerness that suggested elemental forces appreciated being used for restoration rather than destruction.
Routine. This is becoming routine, which means I'm getting good at it.
The discovery happened during what should have been simple healing session, Ciri's training injury requiring attention that had become standard procedure after sparring practice. Adam placed his hands on the shallow cut that decorated her forearm, channeling Healing Touch while his mind wandered through philosophical considerations about magic and responsibility.
Blood. I can sense the blood flowing through her circulatory system.
The revelation hit like lightning striking clear sky, sensory input flooding his consciousness with awareness that human bodies contained vast networks of water in forms his magic could detect and theoretically influence. Every heartbeat, every circulation pattern, every living being within thirty meters suddenly became visible through supernatural perception.
Overwhelming. Too much information at once.
Adam staggered backward as Blood Sensing activated without conscious direction, his brain struggling to process data streams that conventional neurology hadn't been designed to handle. Ciri's voice sounded distant despite her physical proximity, drowned by the symphony of life signatures that painted his awareness in patterns too complex for easy comprehension.
Filter it. Learn to filter the sensation, use it selectively.
The technique required meditation-like focus to sort relevant information from background noise, isolating specific signatures while maintaining awareness of general patterns. Gradually, the overwhelming cascade of data became manageable tool that provided tactical advantage through biological surveillance.
Tracking. Perfect for tracking threats through walls and obstacles.
Testing revealed capabilities that made ambush nearly impossible—Blood Sensing detected humans, animals, and even some monsters through their water content, creating real-time awareness of everything alive within significant radius. Passive ability that operated continuously without conscious effort or MP expenditure.
Tactical revolution. This changes everything about situational awareness.
[Waterbending Element Level: 1 → 15 (Adept tier achieved)]
[New Abilities Unlocked: Ice Spear, Water Wave, Healing Aura, Mist Form, Blood Sensing]
[Experience Gained: 250 XP]
[LEVEL UP! 21 → 22]
[Free Stat Points: +5]
[Allocation: +1 STR, +2 STA, +2 AGI]
[New Stats: STR 38, STA 50, AGI 49, HP 380, MP 500]
Evening meditation on Kaer Morhen's walls provided sanctuary for processing capabilities that accumulated faster than wisdom to use them responsibly, Blood Sensing revealing every heartbeat within the fortress while Adam contemplated responsibilities that came with power over life and death.
Five heartbeats. Vesemir in the armory, Geralt in his room, Lambert and Eskel in the great hall, Ciri in the library.
The knowledge felt intimate beyond normal friendship, awareness of biological functions that people didn't typically share with others. Each pulse spoke of life continuing its essential rhythms despite supernatural forces that threatened to disrupt natural order.
Power accumulating faster than wisdom. That's dangerous in ways I'm only beginning to understand.
But looking at winter stars that wheeled overhead in patterns unchanged by human ambition or magical development, Adam understood that some responsibilities couldn't be avoided simply because they felt overwhelming.
Use it wisely. Whatever power I'm given, use it to protect what matters.
The ancient stones beneath him had supported generations of people who'd faced similar choices about power and responsibility, their decisions shaping consequences that rippled through decades of subsequent history.
Ready. More ready than yesterday, less ready than tomorrow will require.
But readiness, he was learning, was always a moving target that could never be definitively achieved.
[Relationship: Vesemir +10 (now 25/100)]
[Relationship: Lambert +5 (now 30/100)]
+1 CHAPTER AFTER EVERY 4 REVIEWS
MORE POWER STONES == MORE CHAPTERS
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