The Legendary Mage (Alavin)
Chapter 74

Alavin was confused and uncertain of the voice's intentions, whether good or evil. He calmly replied, "The one you speak of must be my mentor!"

"Where is he? Let me see him!" The voice demanded.

"He had to leave on urgent business."

"Find him for me, and I shall reward you handsomely."

"Who are you, really? And why are you inside me?" Alavin was now certain that the voice was that of the entity that had sprung from the stone and had somehow taken refuge inside his very body. The voice suddenly went silent, and the Shadowbringer grew still as well.

"What are you doing? Please, leave my body first. The person you seek is not here."

Alavin felt uneasy; having something strange inside him was a discomfort anyone would feel.

After a long silence, the voice spoke again, "At the age of fifteen, you've only reached Novice Mage Stage VI. With such mediocre talent, how do you qualify to become his Protégé? How did you get Shadowbringer, and who are you?"

The voice was weak, but it no longer carried the initial respect, turning instead sharp and severe.

"Does he need your permission to choose his Protégés?"

"Who is he? What faction does he belong to? What are his deeds? His current age! Do you know any of this?" the voice interrogated in rapid succession.

"I don't know," Alavin flatly refused.

"You don't know? Then how did you come by Shadowbringer!"

"I have not only Shadowbringer but also the Grand Arcanum of the Blade and the Dawnedge Blade. I have plenty of treasures."

"Who are you, really?"

"Why does it matter to you who I am? If you're not pleased, then try to defeat me!" Alavin feigned arrogance, though his heart raced with anxiety; this peculiar being seemed to have a foul temper. The voice fell into a long silence, then let out a weak roar. Shadowbringer vibrated intensely, black mist enveloping the space and conjuring a tempest of energy, causing Alavin's very essence to churn. It was hatred that fueled it!

The voice had sensed the presence of Shadowbringer and thought the legendary figure it sought was nearby. Given the amicable relations between their groups, it had summoned all its energy, struggling at great cost.

To escape the Rune of Abandonment Lock, it had exhausted its remaining strength and was now extremely weakened. It had thought that once free, it could seek the help of Shadowbringer's owner, and return to the Warrior Tribe, to Celestial Domain. But were all its efforts for naught?

Alavin, enduring the turmoil within, let the entity vent. "Who are you, really?"

"And who are you?" The voice was cold and full of deep hostility. It had spent its last ounce of strength and hope, only to be met with a mediocre child, and it was filled with a desire to slay.

"I told you, but you wouldn't believe me. You tell me who you are first."

"Kid, watch your tone," the voice chilled.

"Old relic, be mindful of your plight," Alavin retorted without courtesy.

"You bastard!"

"Don't rage at me. You invaded my body without my consent, and I haven't even held you to account for that."

"Boy, had it been the old me, you would be dead by now."

"Such talk. If I were strong, you would be dead too."

"You insolent youth, you dare speak to me?"

"Do I not? Then please leave. Hide wherever you wish, just not within me."

Their voices escalated, each more stubborn than the last, speaking increasingly discourteously.

"My presence in your body is an honor for you."

"I can't bear such an honor. Please leave! Or should I seek out Cobalt Strike Elders to have you expelled?" Alavin had a hunch that the entity was weakened and posed no real threat; it would have shown some resistance to his provocations.

The voice fell silent for a while, then spoke with a desolate whisper, "To think I, a proud descendant of Warrior Tribe, have fallen so low... Is this life destined to end without me returning to Celestial Domain?" Alavin said nothing for a long time, contemplating quietly before finally asking, "Where is this Celestial Domain?"

While the question was asked out of concern, it only deepened the voice's sorrow, revealing a being so barbaric it knew not of Celestial Domain. Was there any hope for it to return?

"Believe it or not, Shadowbringer and Dawnedge Blade were gifts from an old man. I know not his identity, his origins, nor what relation he has to you. I was merely his companion for eight years; these were his parting gifts to me." Alavin felt the need to remind the entity, in case it grew desperate enough for a mutual destruction.

The voice gave no further response, sinking into the Shadowbringer, perhaps contemplating or too weak to speak. Alavin called out for a long time, but the voice no longer acknowledged him.

What could he do? Allow it to hide within the Shadowbringer? Or seek counsel from the Elder of the Botanic Haven?

After much thought, Alavin chose to 'accept' the situation for the time being. He had no other option; he couldn't just tell the Botanic Haven Elder that something was hiding in his Shadowbringer.