"The politics really are the worst part," she agrees with a shrug. "Most of us would rather focus on our research and forget about the rest of the Empire." But it doesn't really work that way, and that's the price they pay for having a well-protected institute with all the best resources.

His comment strikes her as mildly surprising, though. "Do witchers have that much freedom? I would've thought that whoever's turning kids into super-powered monster slayers would try to keep them on a tight leash." Both to get the most out of their resources, and to avoid a situation where they might turn around and act against the authorities.