The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Chapter 117

"If you secure a spot for me, I'll consider you a friend."

Balder spoke with a gentle tone, "The Eight Orders of the Northlands hold The Clash of Eight Orders in high regard; they always bring their most skilled Protégés to the tournament. Moreover, casualties are a common occurrence during the competition. Alavin, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, but your current level..."

"I am now at Novice Mage Stage VII. Give me another month and a half, and I'll do everything within my power to reach Stage VIII."

"Stage VII?" Balder was taken aback.

Alavin summoned lightning, elevating his presence to its peak. "Stage VII, already at the pinnacle."

Balder's gaze shifted again, twinkling with recognition. If he remembered correctly, it had been merely half a year since Alavin advanced to Novice Mage, and now he had already reached Stage VII? As one's level increased, progress typically slowed, especially the leap from Stage VI to Stage VII, which was a significant hurdle. Yet, Alavin had been at Stage V just a month and a half ago.

"How did you manage this?" Balder knew of Alavin's talent and his fierce determination, but to surge to Stage VII in half a year seemed almost unnatural.

"I will advance to Stage VIII in a month and a half. Help me secure a spot in The Clash of Eight Orders."

Balder quickly regained his composure, not rushing to answer. Alavin's talent and rapid growth truly astonished him. However, Balder didn't have the influence to vie for a spot in the tea gathering. After all, the Mollen family wasn't powerful enough to allow Cobalt Strike to bring a 'weakling' to The Clash of Eight Orders and face embarrassment.

Alavin didn't pressure Balder and waited for his decision.

After a long hesitation and a light chuckle, Balder said, "I'd truly like to help you, but... you might not understand The Clash of Eight Orders. It's where the strongest of the new generation of the Eight Orders come to spar, almost exclusively Stage IX prodigies, and some even as exceptional as Celesse. It's not that I doubt your strength, but..."

"I'm not going for the experience of The Clash of Eight Orders. I'm going to secure a spot and leverage it for my standing in Cobalt Strike." Alavin wasn't fighting for himself; he was fighting for the 200,000 people of Stormcast. He hadn't had the strength to compete before, but now that he did, he was determined to fight for it.

Balder was sharp and grasped the gist of Alavin's intentions. "May I be so bold as to ask if you... hate Cobalt Strike?"

"I am not a rabid dog; I don't bite without cause."

Balder was quite pleased with this response, and his smile deepened involuntarily. The Mollen family didn't want to offend the entirety of Cobalt Strike, but if it was just about angering one Elder, that was worth considering. However, terms would need to be negotiated. "I personally would like to help you, but to persuade the Commander, I need my family to step in. How can I bring them on board without some sort of assurance?"

"I will compete for a ranking, and if I succeed, we shall be friends. If I fail, I will sell myself into the service of the Mollen family." Alavin shouldered his water barrel and left the dense woods.

Balder stood still, silent for a long time. If it were anyone else, he would have taken their words as a jest, but Alavin's character and the talent he'd shown in reaching Stage VII in just half a year were enough for Balder to take him seriously.

Investment... Investment was about taking risks! It relied on foresight and vision.

"My lord." A few attendants entered the grove.

Balder uncharacteristically subdued his smile, and his eyes narrowed with a sharp glint. The attendants were quietly perplexed; they had been with Balder for many years and had never seen him exhibit such a demeanor.

After a while, Balder raised his head, his smile returning. "Summon my father here!"

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Alavin trusted that Balder would seriously consider the proposition. For the Mollen family, this was like a high-stakes wager, betting that he could achieve a notable rank in The Clash of Eight Orders. If he succeeded, his status would change dramatically. The first thing to be reversed would be his servitude; with freedom from control, he would essentially gain his independence. A potential-laden free man with the background of the young lord of Stormcast was a trade the Mollen family would likely be pleased with.

With the Mollen family's cooperation, Alavin would find it easier to support his own kin.

This was the decision Alavin had pondered over the entire night, involving a series of strategic plans for the future. Once the Mollen family agreed to his proposal, they would inevitably be closely tied to Alavin for a long time, working for him and realizing their greater interests.

But the precondition was that Alavin needed to secure a rank in The Clash of Eight Orders - this was the crucial point.

"Stage VIII! A month and a half to reach Stage VIII!" Alavin set a strict order for himself.

From that day on, he adopted an unprecedented low profile, ignoring all provocations from the outside world and all humiliations. He spent his mornings making deliveries and dedicating all other time to training.

The Protégés of the Grand Elder's faction sought trouble but found no opportunity to act. They even wanted Adirich to lead them, but Adirich had been taken away by an Elder for special training.