[ Sentimental, practical, a force of habit—all of those things in one. Its ability to sense magic nearby holds less use in a world steeped in Chaos, but he relies on it nonetheless. Out in the Badlands, it can make a difference. ]

I underwent a few more Trials. [ Is all he says about it. They each bear their marks and scars; Coën's eye was fucked afterwards, and he didn't need to endure more than one for that. ] They called it a trifle.

[ Comparatively, it was. Comparatively, he didn't die.

He tips more ale into Steve's mug, a sign that he hasn't much else to add to the topic. Steve can glean what remains unspoken. The man might've volunteered for his enhancements, but things are rarely so simple, and Geralt imagines there were a number of others before him who did not. Powerful alchemy does not simply work in its first attempt.

But perhaps he's making presumptions.

There's a question that's lingered on his mind since they trekked to Aquila, however. Before that, even. ]

Back home, you submitted to experiments for a war. What made it so important?

[ Because Steve certainly has no interest in the army here. If anything, he seems to be as wary of them as Geralt. So he is not a career soldier nor someone who seeks the comfort of being rank and file. ]