The Legendary Mage (Alavin)
Chapter 130

"I'll see it through to the end!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, please follow me to your respective garden quarters to rest," urged two attendants, guiding the Cobalt Strike and Earthbound Spirits parties away from each other to prevent further disputes.

"I challenge him to the first match of the championship," declared a robust Protégé, glancing at the departing Alavin.

A fellow Protégé said, "Tarner, you needn't trouble yourself; I'll take care of him. Marak was unprepared and fell for his trick; such an incident won't repeat during the championship."

"Let me handle this. The lad is peculiar. He only reached Stage VIII twenty days ago; his power may be unstable. Even with an advantage, it's inconceivable for him to render Marak powerless," the Protégé named Tarner felt that Alavin harbored secrets. It now seemed unlikely that Cobalt Strike would bring an ordinary person; there must be more to the story. They had been too careless before.

Orland made a decision. "Tarner, you take the first match! Don't hold back; if you can disable him, do so without mercy."

Tarner sneered, "I'll make sure his bones feel the fists of the Earthbound Spirits."

"You oughtn't do that," Mariela cautioned Alavin as he approached. Revealing his strength too soon could invite an early reprisal from the Earthbound Spirits, a risk that might prove costly. "Your secrets, your element of surprise, should be reserved for the championship, not squandered on such trifling occasions."

"Mariela is right. You should save that power for when it truly matters, at the championship," Nikulas chimed in, admiring Alavin's fiery spirit but lamenting his tactical misstep.

"I haven't even unleashed my full strength yet," Alavin replied with a casual smile.

The others rolled their eyes.

"How much can you punch now?" Myke inquired. He hadn't seen Alavin demonstrate such formidable strength on their journey, during which Alavin had kept a low profile. The sudden change caught him off guard.

"Somewhere around a thousand pounds, I suppose," Alavin replied offhandedly.

They arrived at a nearby garden, which boasted a small lake and was adorned with woodlands, flowerbeds, and a series of quaint, standalone cottages, all exuding the exquisite taste of the manor's lord. Each chose a cottage for themselves; Alavin, Cedrick, and others retired to their rooms to practice their arts and maintain peak conditions. Meanwhile, Roald and his companions gathered to scout information about the various Organizations present.

By that afternoon, Alavin's name had spread throughout the grand manor, not only for his trouncing of the Earthbound Spirits' Marak but also for his astonishing attainment of Novice Mage Stage VIII. A Stage VIII Protégé promoted merely twenty days ago at the championship? Was this some kind of jest?

Never in the century-long history of The Clash of Eight Orders had such a thing occurred. It was, as the Earthbound Spirits had said, Alavin alone seemed to lower the overall standard of the event.

Yet Alavin had thoroughly defeated Marak, proving his might with his fists. Every Protégé at the championship was an elite among elites, holding dazzling positions within their respective Organizations, far from any ordinary mage. How could Alavin, at Stage VIII, overpower someone at Stage IX?

Curiosity was piqued, and names were remembered. But the more people inquired, the more unsettling the discoveries became.

He was a servant! A mere servant! A delivery boy and jack-of-all-trades for Cobalt Strike!

His Stage VIII status was one thing, but being a menial worker, Alavin once again challenged the sanctity of the championship.

What in the world was Cobalt Strike up to? Was this some kind of jest? A 'Stage VIII' realm, a 'servant' status-both were unprecedented in the annals of The Clash of Eight Orders.

Yet rumors swirled anew. Over a year ago, Alavin was but an Apprentice, and in less than a year, he had ascended to Stage VIII.

The manor of Warriors' Vale was abuzz with incredulity and speculation. Even more baffling to many was how Alavin had managed to rise to Stage VIII within a year, casting serious doubts on the veracity of the tale. And so, even before the championship had officially begun, Alavin's name was on everyone's lips, his notoriety nearly rivaling that of the Advanced Mages from the Eight Orders.