[Alucard doesn't dare to venture an opinion if a lack of mages is a positive or a negative - there is too much information he doesn't have to make that possible. But he does presume a connection between Geralt's nature and their presence, and--

--fire.

What comes out of Alucard's mouth isn't the laugh of incredulous are you fucking kidding me? nor is it a despairing noise of disappointment with the same question attached. It tries to cover both extremes though. Somehow, impossibly, it is always magic and always fire, worlds and worlds away. It should be impossible, and yet.]

My mother's clinic was lost in the exact circumstance. [The next part slips out. Not intended, but since more cards are on the table--] As was she.