The Legendary Mage (Alavin)
Chapter 154

"You didn't have to fight so hard," Mariela said to Alavin. He could have easily used the mysterious Combat Magic 'Shadowlord's Wrath' right from the start instead of waiting until the bitter end to employ it. "I wanted to test my limits." Alavin sought not only to win the tournament but also to push his potential, looking for an opportunity to break through. As a Stage VIII Novice Mage, he might've had to settle for the top ten, but reaching Stage IX could give him a shot at the top five, and he was well aware of that.

"The Clash of Eight Orders is a tournament, not a fight to the death," Mariela said, at a loss for words with him.

Balder glanced at Mariela, intrigued. Was there a relationship between this aloof beauty and Alavin? Not only had she stayed here for half the day, but she also initiated a conversation with Alavin-quite rare indeed.

"How did you two fare?" Alavin inquired of Mariela and Cedrick, noting that Cedrick seemed more severely wounded.

Balder interjected with a grin, "Mariela won and will compete in the third round tomorrow for a spot in the top ten. Cedrick single-handedly challenged three Protégés from the Stellar Precepts and advanced to the top ten ahead of time."

"Oh?" Alavin was surprised. Cedrick took on three? And all from the Stellar Precepts?

"It's a shame you won't be in the final matches. Otherwise, I'd relish a bout against you," Cedrick said as he got up and left the room.

"Rest well, you've already made it to the top ten. You've reached your goal, and there's no need to overexert yourself any further." Mariela left him with these words before she, too, exited the room. That evening, the lord's manor hosted another banquet, inviting Protégés from various Organizations.

Alavin, citing his severe injuries, did not attend and locked himself in his room, drawing in the Restoration Aether from the world around him to heal his wounds. His injuries appeared grave, seemingly ruling out any participation in the final battle for the top five, yet he was confident he would recover by night's end.

He was determined to partake in the ultimate showdown!

Late at night, in the stillness of his quarters, Alavin fully opened his energy channel, free of distractions, drawing in the Restoration Aether toward the lord's manor.

The window creaked open gently, and the little fox slipped in once more, intoxicated by the abundant Restoration Aether in the room. A human-like smile had spread across its face. It tiptoed onto the bed and curled up on Alavin's legs like a comfortable fluff-ball resembling a snowball.

Alavin had a fondness for the little fox and did not shoo it away, continuing his practice of the Restoration Mantra.

He tore off all the bandages, revealing ghastly wounds that bled profusely. Yet under the nurturing of the Restoration Mantra, rich Restoration Aether flowed through his body, accumulating at the wounds, visibly fostering new flesh and closing the injuries as the torn skin slowly knit back together. What should have been a horrifying sight became miraculous.

Alavin's heartbeat grew stronger and more vigorous, and his life force surged back to life.

Eyla of the Bloodlore watched from the window, intrigued by the scene unfolding in the room and feeling the ceaseless flow of life's vigor from the world outside.

The talk of the banquet that night among members of various Organizations was none other than Alavin.

Alavin, Stormcast, his status as a servant, Azure Mountain, and more were all topics of discussion, with a true story being pieced together and spread among Protégés and Elders alike. Alavin truly was a servant.

He had indeed been mistreated.

Alavin had genuinely broken through to Novice Mage on his own.

Since his breakthrough, Alavin had less than one year of experience.

Alavin had been relentlessly exploited by Cobalt Strike but remained stubborn and proud.

Various deeds were shared, though it was unclear who had spoken them or who had compiled the tale.

Eyla stood outside, and her interest piqued as she sized up Alavin. What strength of will did he have to endure eight arduous years? What resilience of character to never submit, and what prodigious talent to break through to Stage VIII within a year? What intrigued her most was that the Elders and Protégés of Cobalt Strike were oblivious to Alavin's Combat Magic, and she was certain that Alavin had never before displayed his swordsmanship or Shadowlord's Wrath there. Moreover, he could attract Restoration Aether, winning the favor of the fox.

Eyla smiled, leaning on the windowsill, contemplating the Alavin within.