The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"I'll take just one-fifth." Alavin entered the cave.

The mercenaries followed him in. The air inside was remarkably fresh; even a deep breath felt revitalizing. Indeed, the small hill was a network of ancient tree roots, intertwining and dense. At the heart of the cave, several old roots wrapped around a palm-sized patch of moss, from which the rich Restoration Aether emanated.

Alavin took only his share, one-fifth of the Evergreen Lichen, and no more.

The man in black warned, "Do not consume too much of it. Eat just a little each day and wait until it's fully absorbed before having more. If you don't, your body will start to petrify, and a tree will sprout from within. I'm not spinning you a yarn; such things have happened before."

"Thanks for the heads-up. I must be going now."

"Hold, friend, may I inquire about your name?"

"Alavin."

"Are you traveling alone? The woods are perilous. Would you care to join our company?"

"I appreciate the offer, but I have matters to attend to."

"You're not a Protégé of Cobalt Strike, are you?" A mercenary suddenly piped up, remembering a warning from two days past about Protégés of Cobalt Strike coming to these parts to forage for herbs, advising them to keep their distance and avoid trouble.

Alavin nodded and took his leave.

The man in black completely abandoned any thought of reclaiming the Evergreen Lichen, not wishing to cross Cobalt Strike. Judging by Alavin's prowess, he must have been a Senior Protégé, and there were likely others nearby on a similar quest for herbs. With that thought, they hurriedly departed. They dared not rob Alavin, lest he call upon his brethren to turn the tables on them.

An ancient Evergreen Lichen, was such a rare treasure, coveted even by Protégés of Cobalt Strike.

As twilight approached, Alavin found a place to conceal himself and carefully inspected the Evergreen Lichen from his knapsack. It looked like ordinary moss, yet he could feel a rich Restoration Aether emanating from it, along with a refreshing fragrance. This ancient relic must have had more than just healing properties; perhaps it held many more wondrous effects.

"Let's hope you don't disappoint," Alavin muttered to himself, needing to consolidate his Novice Mage Stage IV. This was the perfect opportunity.

He carefully pinched off a small piece, placed it in his mouth, and chewed slowly, feeling a robust coolness flood his senses, spreading throughout his body, seeping into his organs and bones. "Am I worried about petrification? No fear! I have the Restoration Mantra!"

Alavin recited the second stanza of the Restoration Mantra, guiding the absorption of the hard-won Evergreen Lichen. This method not only prevented petrification but was also more effective than direct absorption. Indeed, the once scattered life streams were now under control, circulating throughout his body as instructed by Alavin's mantra, rapidly absorbing and nourishing every organ as if each cell was bursting with vitality.

The small piece of lichen was quickly absorbed, and Alavin boldly swallowed the rest, using the Restoration Mantra to guide the separation.

Unbeknownst to him, black impurities began to seep from his skin, increasing in quantity, soon covering his entire body like a black sludge laced with strands of dark red. Alavin was not perturbed, but quietly elated.

He remembered the first time he practiced the Restoration Mantra, his body had undergone a similar transformation, as if purifying and undergoing a rebirth. With each insight gained, a similar reaction occurred, and his body continually changed. Alavin's immense strength owed much to the purifying effects of the Restoration Mantra; without it, his explosive power would never have reached such heights, nor could he withstand the backlash of a Goliath Force's triple burst.

However, as his training progressed, the black sludge became less frequent, disappearing entirely after mastering the first stanza.

Unexpectedly, guiding with the second stanza of the Restoration Mantra elicited a similar effect, with the dark red in the impurities indicating an even deeper level of purification.

Come morning, Alavin emerged from his hiding spot invigorated, his step light, his mind sharper, and a smile on his face. Any fatigue and injury had vanished, his mindfulness seemed keener, and his body felt inexplicably lighter. Clenching his fist, he could feel his muscles, perfectly defined, crawling up his arm, suggesting an increase in strength.

Whether the Evergreen Lichen inherently possessed such effects, or it was its synergy with the Restoration Mantra, the result was a delightfully unexpected boon.

Alavin cleansed himself at a nearby lake, changed clothes, and headed deeper into the forest, seeking Nysah.

From her plot to kill him under the guise of herb gathering, it was clear that this woman was malicious at heart. Without any deep-seated grudge between them, she sought to take a life. If he didn't deal with he now, she would be a constant thorn in the side of Cobalt Strike upon his return.