The Legendary Mage (Alavin) novel Chapter 176

"You insolent cur! How dare you bark at me." Marak seethed with anger. He hadn't even sought revenge, and yet Alavin dared to provoke him.

"Shall we spar then?" Alavin shoved Vinos' head aside and stepped into the pool. His gaze was sharp as a blade, unblinkingly fixed on Marak. A palpable aura of intimidation filled the pool.

Vinos touched his head, thinking, “By the gods, he dared to push me.” Vinos glared at Alavin, but Alavin paid him no heed. After a long stare, Vinos deflated.

Alavin sneered, considering Marak, a scion of House Viperbane, utter rubbish, a scum unworthy of proposing to Celesse. He even tried to use the secrets of Botanic Haven as a threat! He hadn’t had the chance to deal with Marak before, but now was the opportunity, and he definitely planned to draw blood today.

Marak sneered back. "Who do you think you are? Just because you've won a few bouts, you think..."

Slap! Alavin's hand struck Marak's face. The sound of the slap echoed across the pool.

Marak staggered, nearly slipping into the pool. His head turned to the side, blood trickled from his mouth, and a bright red handprint slowly appeared on his cheek.

By the gods. The young nobles shivered, their mouths agape.

Marak was stunned, truly stunned. Had Alavin struck him? How dare he?

"Please, let's be reasonable," the guards were truly alarmed, but they were watching in confusion. What had happened? How had this fight broken out so suddenly?

"How dare you strike me?" Marak slowly raised his head. His eyes were bloodshot with rage, staring venomously at Alavin. "In all my life, no one has dared..."

Cedrick and Balder rushed out, clueless about what had transpired. Doors of nearby rooms swung open as onlookers poked their heads out, wondering what had caused the commotion. What had started as an argument had now escalated into a full-blown fight.

"Lord Alavin, what are you doing?" The guards hastened to restrain Alavin, signaling that enough was enough.

"Alavin, let's talk this out; no need for violence." Vinos and the others were petrified; this madman was wild in the arena and even more so in everyday life. Marak was a Novice Mage at Stage VIII, while Alavin was a formidable Stage IX, ranking among the top five in The Clash of Eight Orders. If it came down to a real fight, five Maraks wouldn't be enough to withstand Alavin's wrath.

"Alavin... how dare you..." Marak struggled to his feet, his body aching and tingling from the electric shocks.

"What's wrong, Lord Marak? Looking quite ragged there. Without your guards, you can barely stand, can you?" Alavin shoved the guards aside and strode towards Marak.