The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

On the second day, Alavin, Eyla, and Carlys left the ancient city, along with the two female Protégées who had accompanied Carlys. They ventured into Cloudveil Woods, making their way back to Cobalt

Strike.

Lucan was tied up with other matters and could only arrange for Grima and Godfred to accompany them.

"Cobalt Strike, eh? One of the Eight Orders of the Northlands. Never thought we'd have the chance to be guests there in our lifetimes," Godfred said, clapping a hand on Grima's shoulder as he strode through the forest.

"Get your hand off me," Grima snapped, shaking off Godfred's arm. "Don't flatter yourself. We're here to protect Lord Alavin, not to be guests."

"Heh, just basking in Lord Alavin's glory." Godfred chuckled, holding his head high as he walked, in high spirits at the thought of boldly entering Cobalt Strike.

"Do we really have to bring her along?" Carlys grumbled, unhappy about Alavin bringing Eyla back with them.

"Little lady, mind your manners. I'm here as a guest," Eyla retorted, draped in a snow-white cloak that hugged her enchanting figure, which somehow made her even more alluring.

The two female Protégées glanced at Eyla from time to time. She was truly beautiful! Even as women themselves, they were dazzled. Eyla was not yet twenty, and her future was bound to be extraordinary.

"I might be in danger when I return, so having Lady Eyla there could mean less trouble," Alavin explained.

"You're now a Golden Protégé and a lord of the city, practically a half-Elder. What danger could you possibly be in?"

"It's always good to be cautious. I bet the Organization is buzzing now, eh? Roald brought back quite the haul from Atlantis, enough to turn many green with envy."

"Indeed, there's been a lot of talk about you and the championship lately, and now it's all about Atlantis. It seems Roald and his lot discovered a cave near Atlantis and got their hands on some treasures, bringing back sixty or seventy pieces."

"Hah, he snatched quite a bit. Did he turn them over to the Organization, or did he keep them for himself?"

"He distributed them to other Protégés."

"Oh?" Alavin remembered Roald as not being so generous.

"Roald's reputation within Cobalt Strike has soared. They say he's magnanimous. He shared magical treasures and did not forget his fellow Protégés. Many Senior Protégés and Elite Protégés have started to support him, joining his faction," Carlys said disdainfully. Roald managed to capture those people's hearts with just a little favor.

She had to admit, Roald's approach was effective. His reputation had suffered a blow after the championship, with many whispering and mocking him in private. But after generously giving away thirty to fifty magical treasures, he had captured countless hearts. Now, anyone who dared to speak ill of Roald in private risked retribution.

Godfred, walking ahead, commented, "The stuff he gave away was probably useless."

"It doesn't matter if they're useful or not, his method certainly is," Grima added.

"Roald...Roald..." Alavin felt a twinge of sentiment.

Eyla asked, "Did he used to bully you?"

Alavin smiled. "A year ago, I wasn't even interesting enough for him to bully."

"And a year from now, will you have any interest in bullying him?"

"I never start trouble."

Cloudveil Woods was busier than usual, with mercenaries from across the Northlands continuing to flood the forest, drawn by Atlantis. Some were there to investigate the ancient secrets at Watchful Shore, others searched the sea for lost treasures, and some roamed the woods hoping to snatch treasures from other mercenaries or Magi-Monsters.

In the chaos a month prior, thousands of magical treasures had been brought up from the sea floor, but not all had made it out of Cloudveil Woods. Many, for various reasons, were left scattered throughout the forest. These ancient treasures, like tempting maidens, drew countless mercenaries.

Alavin and his group traversed hills and dales, ever watchful for the roaming mercenaries and the dangerous Magi-Monsters in the woods. With Grima and Godfred, two powerful mages, by their side, they were not in danger. They encountered several groups of mercenaries but drove them away each time.

Days later, they unexpectedly ran into some familiar faces.

"Alavin? Haha, it is you!" Boomed a voice as a two-meter-tall brute stepped out of the thicket, laughing heartily. He was a towering and formidable presence; his stature was like a sculpture carved from stone, exuding an aura of indomitable strength. He was the kind of man one didn't easily forget.