The Legendary Mage

To live meant to stand. To stand meant to show resolve.

Come midday, a fine misty rain began to fall.

Returning to the storeroom, Alavin prepared his meal, greeted the elder, grabbed some food, and secluded himself in the hills behind the warehouse. There, amidst the jutting rocks and entangled ancient trees—places unnoticed and unvisited by most—he found his secret training ground. Here, his smile was replaced by a grim seriousness.

From noon to the deep of night, Alavin absorbed the Restoration Aether of the world around him, rejuvenating his spirit and easing his wounds. Perhaps it was because he had begun the second phase of the Restoration Mantra, but his recovery was notably quicker this time.

"Novice Mage Stage VI is clearly beyond my current reach. Strength, I need more strength," he murmured.

Alavin gently touched the palm-shaped scar on his chest, knowing full healing would take more time. He was too weak; he had to become stronger, much stronger.

After years of trials, he had finally achieved his dream of becoming a Novice Mage. It was time to strive for a breakthrough, to work harder than ever before.

"Senior Protégé! Elite Protégé! Golden Protégé!"

Alavin recited the ranks of the Cobalt Strike in his mind. With each rank came different privileges and influence. Becoming a Golden Protégé would nearly grant him the status of an Elder. Once merely an Apprentice, he couldn't dare to dream of status, but now, as a Novice Mage, his primary goal was to shed his Freshman Protégé identity. Only with a higher status could he access more Combat Magic, grow stronger faster, and perhaps secure greater benefits for the people of Stormcast.

"For myself, for my kin, and for Stormcast," Alavin leaped up, his mind was calm and focused, his feet were positioned slowly, and his hands flexed. He began a mysterious opening stance.

Who would say he knew no Combat Magic? This was the opening stance of “Goliath Force,” a Combat Magic mastered by Brunn, an Elite Protégé of Cobalt Strike.

borrowing Combat Magic scrolls from the Sanctum of

officially studied any Combat Magic scrolls. Instead, he had covertly learned by observing Brunn's every battle and trial, memorizing each move, and studying Brunn's exterior to understand the interior. After years of relentless practice and refinement, Alavin had, in effect, created his own variant of

against armor. However, it demanded an extremely resilient

Protégé Fradaley's Wind-Split Sword, Elite Protégé Lartel's Stormsky Spear, and Elite Protégé Maxarcush's Hexaforce Fist. Yet, Alavin had decided

with the Restoration Mantra, he far surpassed others, easily harnessing the Goliath Force

first three. The final two were elusive, too profound

Tiger!" Alavin dashed through the woods, agile and fierce, his fist thundering

two men, trembled violently.

six

flew, and leaves danced as he moved, stirring up

secluded hillside as Alavin unleashed his full might, immersed in the arduous practice of Combat Magic. Giant trees and bizarre rocks—all targets for his strikes. Many of the massive boulders

privilege of training in the Arena, he

"Second phase, Colossus Power!"

"Third phase, Mountain Mover!"

...

a boulder as tall as two men.

doubled his power, bringing intense strain to his body. By the third phase, thick veins covered him, and his skin flushed

higher. He aimed to