The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Chapter 139

"Cobalt Strike, Adirich, to battle!" Adirich boldly stepped onto the stage, eager to seize victory and secure a third win for Cobalt Strike.

But as soon as he set foot, Myke scoffed from below: "Fool!"

Nikulas chuckled. "Indeed, a bit foolish."

"What do you mean by that?" Adirich turned, his face darkening.

"See for yourself." Nikulas gestured towards the opposite side of the dueling arena, where a young maiden in blue garb took the stage, her presence fierce. "The Stellar Precepts, Inga, accepts the challenge."

Roald and the others glanced at Adirich, exasperated. "Couldn’t he think ahead? Cobalt Strike had just triumphed in two consecutive battles, basking in glory; would the others stand by idly? The third bout was bound to bring forth top-tier heirs. It would have been wiser for us to hold back, or to send forth a Golden Protégé. But there he goes, showing off."

The five Elders of Cobalt Strike frowned, questioning why Adirich was sent forth. Even if not a Golden Protégé, Mariela should have been the choice.

Seeing the challenger, Adirich's expression shifted; he knew of The Stellar Precepts, and Inga held a status equivalent to Cobalt Strike's Golden Protégé.

But now that he was on stage, could he retreat?

"To arms!" Adirich charged at Inga, his Combat Magic of ‘poison’ giving him confidence in victory.

However, within mere moments, Adirich was blasted off the platform by Inga, falling unconscious. It was a crushing defeat, embarrassingly direct.

The Elders of Cobalt Strike could barely watch, their faces stern and silent.

"The third battle, The Stellar Precepts, Inga, emerges victorious!" the marshal of the arena declared with emphasis.

"Who's next?" Roald asked, face grim.

"No rush, we’ve got time." Felis and the others remained composed.

The atmosphere in The Arena continued to burn hot. Protégés from various Factions took turns entering the fray, clashing with Combat Magic, testing their resolve, each striving to showcase their brilliance.

Some battles were decided in an instant, others ended with a graceful surrender after a fierce duel, and some raged on until both combatants were grievously wounded.

Passion flared within all the Protégés; none shrank back, and none brought shame upon their Factions.

One battle, two battles… seven battles… ten battles… Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Each had its own splendor, its own unique flair. Commanders and Elders nodded frequently, satisfied with the Protégés' performances, occasionally offering private commentary on particularly spectacular bouts.

These Protégés were the pride of their Factions, the bearers of their hopes.

The Protégés of Cobalt Strike assessed the situation and took their turns on the stage.

In the tenth bout, Mariela took the stage, facing The Floral Enchantress Protégé, and triumphed.

In the thirteenth bout, Myke entered the arena, battled a Starlit Echoes Protégé in a fierce fight that lasted nearly half an hour, and emerged victorious, though gravely injured.

In the fifteenth bout, Nikulas stepped forth, only to suffer a bitter defeat at the hands of a Bloodlore Protégé.

Phantom Blaze Felis, Snow Cloak Semar, Mirafe Abyss Admus – the three Golden Protégés took turns challenging the elite heirs of various Factions.

In the end…

Admus was fiercely blocked by The Earthbound Spirits, enduring a brutal contest that lasted the time of two candles, and fought with fervent zeal to the sound of thunderous applause, until Admus, drained of magic, was blasted from the platform by The Earthbound Spirits' overpowering martial prowess.

Semar faced the legendary young maiden of The Floral Enchantress, Lylian, who at the tender age of fifteen had already lingered at Stage IX for a year, the youngest Protégé in the gathering. Ultimately, Lylian claimed victory, and Semar conceded defeat and withdrew.

Of the three Golden Protégés, only Felis managed to overcome The Skyborne Rivers Protégé, Galvas.

It wasn't that the three weren't strong; it was that their renown was too great, having long been marked by the powerful Protégés of other Factions. Their opponents were also formidable figures.

The intense clashes lasted from morning until evening, with thirty-four duels unfolding, yielding thirty-four victors. One was fortunate enough to have a bye, but another eight were too injured to partake in the morrow's challenge.

As the evening fell, the city's administration announced the list of those qualified for the next day's events. Twenty-seven Novice Mage Protégés, eleven Advanced Mage Protégés, a total of thirty- eight competitors!

The Clash of Eight Orders' first day of martial exchange came to a ceremonial close, but the fervor within the city's halls did not wane for a long time.

Today's martial gathering disappointed no one and lived up to the reputation of the 'Northlands' new generation at its peak.'

The splendid performances of the Protégés left the city's guards in awe and admiration, and the young nobles of the city felt humbled in comparison. Truly, the genius heirs of the Eight Orders lived up to their names. Next to this band of prodigies, they felt their own shortcomings keenly.