The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Why do you ask?"

"If you're to stay with Cobalt Strike, you should strive to be the best and aim to become the next Commander, one of the eight rulers of the Northlands. The Commander has already offered you this opportunity, so why not accept it?"

"Do you wish for me to be the Commander?"

Celesse's radiant smile warmed Alavin's heart. "I once hoped you'd break free from it all, leave this place, and carve your own path. But now..."

"Now you hope I'll stay?"

"Now, I wish even more that you could leave."

Alavin chuckled as well. "I never dreamt of becoming a Commander. What I look forward to most is settling the Mallister family, developing the Stormcast, and then traveling carefree across the lands, seeking adventure, witnessing different landscapes, meeting various folk, and experiencing all sorts of novel Combat Magic, pursuing higher levels of Energy."

Before, Alavin had not dared to dream of such things, always worried that the secret of the Kings' Acceptance would be revealed, and how he might protect the Mallister family. Now, with the protection of Cobalt Strike, he could leave once his vengeance was complete.

Celesse sat on her heels, her smile soft and melodic. "When we were little, you took my hand and said that one day you would cross mountains and seas to see the ends of the world."

Alavin scratched his head. "You still remember those words?"

Celesse teased him with a playful laugh, "You made many a grand boast when you were small, always so serious, never blushing."

Alavin smiled awkwardly. "A child's folly."

"How are Helna and the others?" Celesse actually missed the carefree times of childhood and the innocence of those days.

"They're well, just getting used to their freedom again and a bit fearful."

"When will we return? Let's go back together and see them."

"Tomorrow! With the Cobalt Strike matter resolved, it's time to give them peace of mind." Alavin leaped up, extending his hand towards Celesse. "Challenge!"

"You won't spare even me?"

"I've just had a breakthrough, and so have you, let's spar and fine-tune our skills." Alavin could suppress Roald but was not sure he could do the same with Celesse. In terms of talent alone, Celesse was a match for Darron of the Order of the Stellar Precepts!

Celesse drew her enchanted sword and suddenly asked, "What's the story with Eyla?"

"She's here to help. With her around, the Commanders wouldn't dare to act rashly."

Celesse looked into Alavin's eyes with a smile that was not quite a smile. "What's this I hear about you and her? Rumors say you've pledged yourselves to each other for life?"

"It's not as exaggerated as that. If Eyla were that simple at face value, she wouldn't be Eyla." Alavin knew his relationship with Eyla best. Her behavior and words seemed open, her affection like that of a lover, but in reality, it was not so. Every time she slung her arm around him, she maintained a clever distance, never truly pressing close. Especially that time in the cave, which might have been their first real momen of intimacy, and it ended with a resounding slap.

"Does she fancy you?"

"She might have a fondness, but more likely, it's curiosity. She wants to get close, to understand me." In Alavin's heart, he knew Eyla sought to conquer him. Eyla would always look into his eyes when jesting, waiting for a flicker of emotion, but Alavin remained unmoved, time and again, stirring Eyla's competitive spirit.

All in all, there were various factors at play, Alavin couldn't quite explain it, but he knew Eyla bore no ill will, and that was enough.

"The battle begins, my secret technique, Shadow Step." Celesse suddenly created three afterimages in her spot, appearing in front of Alavin in a blink, like a graceful fairy materializing before him. Her sword flashed like a streak of light, aimed straight at Alavin's throat, devoid of flourish but filled with a chilling intent to kill.

"Well met," Alavin's spirit surged, as the Dawnedge Blade rang out in his hand, ready for a powerful counterstrike. Sharp! Precise! Fierce! An all-out effort!

And yet...

Celesse's forward charge astonishingly retreated five steps away in the next second. Then she reappeared to his left and right with a soft thrust... The blade's gleam appeared, and a line of blood marked Alavin's shoulder.

"Golden blood!" Celesse exclaimed in surprise, having just heard of it from Alavin, not quite grasping the notion until now, seeing the golden hue for herself. Alavin, however, was stunned. What just happened? Was that hallucination Craft? How could she possibly retreat at such speed, defying all logic? Celesse laughed lightly, her presence even more ethereal. I warned you, Shadow Step! A secret technique of movement!"

"You can change positions at will?" Alavin's surprise turned to excitement; his fighting spirit soared, and he suddenly spun around, launching a fierce assault.