The Legendary Mage (Alavin) novel Chapter 153

The war blade hummed, its energy chilling to the bone. It took quite some time before Cedrick could reel it back under his control.

Adirich exhaled deeply, already wounded, and having been cleaved by two blows, he nearly lost consciousness as he relaxed.

"Get out!!" Cedrick had no stomach for such underhanded tactics, and with a thud, he slammed the door shut, unwilling to spare a glance at Adirich.

"Bastard!" Adirich's face twisted in fury as he clenched his fists and pounded the floor.

"Disgraceful." Myke snorted and returned to his chamber.

Balder watched Cedrick return, his small eyes spinning with curiosity. Hey, what was going on, had Cedrick befriended Alavin? Otherwise, why would he act like this? "Cedrick, have you just returned from the training grounds?"

"What are you doing here?" Cedrick glanced at Balder indifferently before checking on Alavin's condition by the bed.

"I arrived today to support you all. Cedrick... did you win?" Balder probed.

"Mhm, cleaved three down," Cedrick replied simply.

Whoa!! Balder's eyes twitched. Three?! A formidable fellow indeed.

"Watch over him!" Cedrick, ensuring Alavin's life was not in danger, sat down to meditate and heal. He tore open his shirt, revealing a ghastly wound.

The atmosphere in the training ground had been heated to its peak. After a fierce battle by Alavin, Cedrick stepped up to challenge the Stellar Precepts, facing three at once and powerfully advancing into the top ten.

Both Alavin and Cedrick set the arena ablaze, bringing great honor to the Cobalt Strike. After being quiet for three terms, Cobalt Strike had once again proven itself at the championship.

Yet Commander Kashann couldn't quite feel joyous, as neither Alavin nor Cedrick was truly a traditional Protégé of the Cobalt Strike. His much-hoped-for Golden Protégés had been whittled down to just Roald and Felis.

The second round of the tournament began, and thanks to the eye-catching performances of Alavin and Cedrick, the third, fourth, and fifth matches all featured challengers seeking to advance to the top ten by fighting two opponents at once.

They all suffered crushing defeats!

The bloody lessons curbed this abnormal trend, and from the sixth fight on, the tournament returned to the proper path of one-on-one challenges.

Mariela stepped up in the seventh battle, facing a Floral Enchantress Protégée, and emerged victorious!

Out of eleven Advanced Mage Protégés, five were eliminated, leaving six. According to the rules, the victorious Advanced Mages advanced to the top ten and would compete in the fourth round for the first three of the top five spots. The winning Novice Mages would continue to the third round of the tournament the next day, determining four winners to join the ranks of the top ten.

With Alavin and Cedrick having secured their spots in the top ten early, the rules were adjusted to have eight Novice Mages vie for the remaining two places.

...

Alavin's injuries were grave, but his unique constitution saw him awake by evening. Upon opening his eyes, he was surprised to find three people in the room, Balder, Cedrick, and Mariela.

“How did you get here?” Alavin asked, surprised to see Balder.

“I came to cheer you on,” Balder said, grinning so wide his eyes nearly disappeared in his chubby face.

“My place in the top ten isn’t being questioned, is it?” Alavin propped himself up, concerned that there might’ve been disputes that would nullify his spot.

"Who would dare to question it? It’s settled, all confirmed,” Balder beamed like a blooming flower, delighted beyond measure. To think the Mollen family had invested in a Protégé destined for the top ten of The Clash of Eight Orders, and likely the one with the most potential. With earnest nurturing, Alavin’s future growth was limitless. He could almost envision his father laughing heartily upon hearing the news.