The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Alavin continued his journey at dawn, steering clear of any Magi-Monsters and hunting parties he could avoid, as well as the occasional bands of mercenaries he spotted. He pressed on through the forest, adjusting to its wild environment with every step.

Two days later, he crossed the region known as Griffin's Roost, plunging into the denser and more perilous depths of the woods, and making his way toward the Azure Mountain.

The further he traveled, the greater the dangers became, including encounters with bizarre Magi-Monsters.

He stumbled upon a mystical white stag, which vanished into the thickets with a fleeting grace; he ran from a towering giant, rampaging through the ancient mountains; at night, he witnessed a group of black apes worshiping the moon and practicing their mystical arts. He even saw wondrous beasts conjuring storms over rivers.

Amidst these perils, Alavin persevered, adapting to the forest's harsh way of life.

On the eighth day of the grand hunting festival, he finally arrived at Azure Mountain!

This was a range of hills in the northeastern part of the Cloudveil Woods, and also a sprawling mining district stretching over miles.

There were five major mines, that annually supplied the Cobalt Strike with an astonishing amount of magical ore. Some were used for the training of Cobalt Strike Protégés, while others were traded for precious Elixir Herbs or potions with the outside world.

Before Alavin even approached Azure Mountain, he could feel the bustling atmosphere from the mines. Over two hundred thousand laborers worked day and night, providing Cobalt Strike with abundant resources. They were all people of Stormcast, who once lived in bliss and comfort, and were now reduced to mine slaves laboring in this secluded mining district due to an accident years ago. Eight years! It had been eight years!

Alavin stood atop a hill, gazing silently, suddenly fearful of approaching, unwilling and afraid to witness the tragic scene.

What exactly had happened eight years ago? Alavin himself was still unclear.

"Because the tribute Stormcast sent to Cobalt Strike was stolen, it brought about the Grand Elder's wrathful punishment," was Lucan's initial explanation to him, yet now it seemed far too simple. Climbing to a nearby peak, Alavin hid amongst the treetops, waiting for nightfall, ever-vigilant for the dangers that could emerge at any moment. The forests around the mine swarmed with Magi-Monsters and were roamed by mercenary bands eager for precious magical ore. Occasionally, they would brazenly assault the mines or ambush the caravans transporting the ore.

Thus, Azure Mountain had its own guard, part of which consisted of Cobalt Strike Protégés, and the other part was a private guard assembled by Lucan himself, chosen from the town's Mages. Lucan's guard had low status and a burdensome duty: to protect the suffering people while patrolling the outskirts and facing threats from Magi-Monsters and bandits alike.

At the dead of the night, timing his move, Alavin left the mountaintop and cautiously approached the mining district. He had never been here, but the map Carlys provided detailed the layout of the mines.

To the east of the district stood a lavish manor, the residence of the presiding Elder and the main storehouse for the ore mine, heavily guarded by at least a hundred Cobalt Strike Protégés and ferocious Magi- Monsters transferred from Cobalt Strike.

Alavin's destination was a small courtyard beside the manor, marked on the map as the dwelling of the Mallister family.

Carlys' map was both detailed and meticulous, listing the guard patrols and their schedules.

Alavin stealthily infiltrated the mining district, avoiding all contact and drawing near to the courtyard by the manor.

The place was more rudimentary than he imagined, with homes made of stone and wood, tightly packed and eerily quiet, with no lights visible. Perhaps everyone was asleep, or maybe there was no one at all. Scaling the wall, Alavin stood in the shadows, looking at the dark courtyard, uncertain of what to do. He thought of the grandeur of the lord's manor from years past, and now, this dilapidated courtyard filled him with desolation. He knew his family had suffered these years, but standing here made it all the more painful.

Where was his uncle? His aunt? Was his sister there? And the other cousins, his kin...

Should he wake them up? Alavin's hands tightened and loosened in his angst.

Suddenly, urgent footsteps approached from outside. "Have they returned?" Alavin quickly straightened his clothes, calmed his emotions, and tried to muster a smile.

Bang! The courtyard gate was rudely thrust open, and a group of people carrying torches entered.

"Oda! Oda! Get up!"

"Lazy as fuck. You sleep before midnight?"

"The young lord wants you to join him for a drink. Make it quick."

A man shouted loudly while those following him pounded on the walls and clanked their weapons. They wore finely embroidered robes and bore the insignia of Cobalt Strike. Their demeanor was aggressive and arrogant.

Candles were lit inside the stone houses as people groggily opened their doors. Each dwelling was small, yet housed over a dozen people. They were all women, from children to the elderly, staring at the Cobalt Strike Protégés with both fear and anger.