The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Thank you for your efforts," Alavin said, smiling at the familiar surroundings. He had never seen this place as a hardship but as a home where he grew up.

During the eight long years as a servant, full of toil and suffering, and being mocked and hurt often, Alavin would return to the warehouse everyday, and once he saw the familiar setting and the old master, he felt safe and at peace.

"So this is where you grew up," Eyla said, looking around curiously. She was eager to understand what kind of environment had shaped Alavin's tough and stubborn nature, and what secrets had suddenly propelled him to rise.

"Lord Alavin, you have suffered much," Grima and Godfred felt a pang of discomfort in their hearts. It had been nine years since that fateful night when Alavin, then only seven years old and a cherished young lord of the royal household, had his life turned upside down. His life of silk and jewels had abruptly been exchanged for coarse bread and wild vegetables, and he was cast from the opulence of the palace to a dilapidated warehouse. They could scarcely imagine what he must have felt at that time, or how he had managed to endure. Had it been someone else, they might have broken down, or become weak and shadowed by the ordeal. But thankfully, Alavin had not!

"It is nothing. If you endure, it becomes wealth; if you do not, it becomes a nightmare."

Alavin stood before a lone grave, bowed deeply three times to the nameless stone, then rolled up his sleeves to tend to the magnolia flowers growing beside the mound.

"Who lies buried here?" Eyla appeared just as she stepped out of the warehouse.

Carlys replied, "There's a stone but no name. Nobody knows who is interred within. The old man spent many years by its side, yet he never spoke of it to us."

"And who is this old man?"

"We do not know."

"Where has he gone? I see no one."

"He has departed."

Eyla rolled her eyes, too lazy to inquire further.

Grima and Godfred also wondered why there would be a grave in the warehouse yard.

Over the years, it was Lucan who accompanied Miss Oda to visit Alavin, rarely speaking of this place upon their return. They had never had the chance to come themselves. By the look on Alavin's face, someone of great importance must've been buried there.

Godfred approached and examined the stone. It was strange to find a marker without inscriptions. "Lord Alavin, whose grave is this?"

Alavin shook his head, clueless as to who lay beneath or why the old man would be connected to Cobalt Strike. From the whispers of the Chained Spirit, Alavin sensed the old man was a remarkable figure from a distant place, someone who should not have any ties with Cobalt Strike.

Alavin had never asked before, and there seemed no need to now. What was to be known would eventually come to light.

"Do you need us to pay respects?" Godfred asked. If it mattered to the Lord Alavin, it mattered to them.

"No need. Godfred, go to the back and forage some wild vegetables, catch a few game birds. Tonight, I will cook."

"Eh? Are you not visiting the Commander today?"

"No rush. We'll go tomorrow."

"You know how to cook?" Eyla looked at Alavin in surprise.

"What do you think I've eaten these past eight years?"

"Make a few extra dishes. I want to taste them properly."

Godfred ran off to the back, foraging for wild greens and catching two game hens. He even managed to snare a wild hare.

Grima went outside to gather some firewood.

Alavin began boiling water to prepare the meal. The various ingredients were still laid out by the hearth, untouched. He busied himself with the task, feeling a joyful semblance of his past life, the weariness from his body swept away.

Everyone got busy, and even Eyla lent a hand to Alavin.

By midday, the rich aroma wafted from the warehouse, and one by one, exquisite dishes were set upon the stone table outside.

"Lord Alavin, how about a drink? A couple of cups?" Godfred shouted while bustling about. He had a wine pouch always at his side.

"I've brought some peanuts." Carlys returned with a basket of peanuts and Elixir Fruit.

Alavin called out, "Godfred, there's pickled vegetables inside, bring some out to accompany the drink."

"Right away!"

Laughter and cheerful banter filled the air as the atmosphere grew warm and congenial. Soon, the stone table was laden with food and drink. They pulled up logs to sit on, encircling the table to enjoy the feast.