The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Lord Alavin, are you invincible in your rank now?" Godfred was extremely proud, as if the victory was his own.

"A face-to-face confrontation on the dueling stage is different from actual combat. The Shadowbringer cannot always be effective. The world is vast. Beyond Cobalt Strike lies the Northlands, beyond the Northlands lies the Royal Realm, beyond the Royal Realm lies the Kingdoms, beyond the Kingdoms lies the Sacred Territory, and beyond that, an even broader world. I have only taken a small step." Alavin was not so proud as to be inflated by his victory over Semar and the others, even though the Protégés of Cobalt Strike were shocked.

"Lord Alavin, has Icebound truly had no effect?" Grima asked quietly, lowering his voice.

"It has had an effect. It couldn't stop it, but it could dispel it."

"We'll have to be more cautious in the future." Grima nodded. Of course! Semar and the others must have tested their confidence in challenging, but still underestimated the Alavin's Shadowbringer.

Eyla trod lightly up the stairs. "Cobalt Strike no longer offers you a challenge. Try your hand at Bloodlore. Each of the eight great Organizations has its own flair, and there's bound to be one that suits you. Frankly, Cobalt Strike's Golden Protégé isn't as strong as I had imagined, not nearly as impressive as Mariela and Cedrick."

"They carry too much honor, unable to bear the weight of defeat. If it really came to a battle, whether I could beat Roald is anybody's guess."

Suddenly, Eyla looped her arm through Alavin's. "Give it to me straight. Will you truly become a Commander?"

"Who can say what the future holds?"

"Tell me if you're willing. If you become a Commander, our fates will part. Make a choice, pick me or the title of Commander."

Carlys couldn't stand it any longer and huffed. "Let go! Embrace your own dreams."

Eyla teased her, "Why don't you join in, little one? There's still an arm free, all yours."

Carlys clung tightly and glared defiantly at Eyla.

Alavin awkwardly withdrew his hand. "Carlys, why don't you show Eyla around? Let her admire the sights of Cobalt Strike."

"Where will you be off to?"

"To the Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls to acquire a set of Combat Magic."

"You need more Combat Magic? Isn't what you have enough for your training?" Eyla wondered, what sort of Combat Magic within Cobalt Strike could pique Alavin's interest.

"A very special set of Combat Magic, the Gigas Grasp."

After leaving the Arena, Alavin headed straight for the Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls.,With his status as a Golden Protégé, he could easily access the place and take any suitable Combat Magic.

The guardian Elder greeted him with a nod and a smile, seemingly aware of his purpose. "The Master Combat Magic is on the top floor. Take this key."

"Thank you, Elder." Alavin accepted the key.

Today, the Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls wasn't crowded. Most Elite Protégés had gone to watch the martial display and hadn't yet returned.

The top floor was the vault where the Master Combat Magic was kept, guarded by two solemn middle-aged Protégés and a heavy iron door.

The key didn't even need to be inserted. It floated up on its own, glowing brightly, and fused with the iron door. The glow quickly spread across every intricate design of the door, shining so brilliantly that it was difficult to keep one's eyes open. A series of clanking sounds came from within, as multiple heavy locks disengaged in succession.

"Please," the two middle-aged Protégés said expressionlessly, their demeanor serious.

Alavin pushed open the iron door and entered the top level. It was like stepping into a different realm, as if he had walked into a river of stars, with dazzling lights and shadows creating a surreal spectacle. Thousands of magical ores floated freely in the air, twinkling like stars. The floor was a hundred meters wide, with a starburst array surrounded by sixteen stone pillars that seemed one with the array, all pulsating with surging magic.

Alavin stepped into the starburst array, astonished by the environment that far exceeded his expectations.

More than a dozen Master Combat Magic books were enveloped in glowing light, hovering mid-air. They seemed to possess a faint sentience, gathering in areas dense with magical ores, drawing magic from within.