The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"That... let's talk about something else."

Silence followed.

Soon after, Adirich came over with a leg of roasted beast, looking glossy with rendered fat. He offered. "Here, have a taste!"

Alavin returned the smile. "No thanks, I prefer not to die."

The Protégés in the valley all turned their heads towards Alavin's direction. Adirich's expression stiffened, holding the beast's leg. "It's delicious. Are you sure you won't try?" "No, you eat. Mariela and I will take a walk nearby."

"Where to?" Adirich tensed slightly.

"Just to the hilltop beside us. We won't go far." Alavin pointed to a nearby barren hill.

Mariela looked at Alavin, meeting his bright eyes; she didn't hesitate and accepted the invitation.

"Don't leave our line of sight. We can't be responsible for any mishaps," Elder Connas subtly reminded, nodding to the others to ease their tension.

The other Protégés continued to feast and were no longer paying attention.

Alavin and Mariela strolled leisurely, making their way to a nearby hillock. They found a stone to sit upon, quietly admiring the forest scenery enshrouded by the twilight. Elder Connas and the others occasionally glanced over in their direction. Alavin and Mariela weren't far off, and could be seen clearly.

"What exactly is the relationship between Alavin and Mariela?" one of the Protégés couldn't help but ask quietly.

"Mariela is known for her icy demeanor, like an icy rose. She rarely mingles with others, let alone men. How come she's suddenly so close to Alavin?"

"Could it be that the icy rose has blossomed, and spring has touched her heart?"

"Impossible, Mariela wouldn't be so easily swayed."

"Impossible? Look at them, all cozy with each other. Knowing Mariela's nature, if she had no interest, she wouldn't even grant you a passing glance."

"Ha, that lad is truly blessed by Lady Luck. Celesse has always favored him, and now Mariela too."

"What's so special about him, anyway?"

The Protégés seemed to have stumbled upon an engaging topic, chuckling and chattering away, occasionally casting glances towards the hilltop where two silhouettes clung to each other in the moonlight. They looked like the very picture of romantic lovers.

Elder Connas was also puzzled, wondering how the two had become so close, almost to the point of embracing. He couldn't help but ask Adirich, "During the championship, were their quarters adjacent to each other?"

"There was something odd about them during the championship. Every time Alavin was injured, Mariela was the first to his side," Adirich remarked, equally baffled. It made no sense-how had Mariela suddenly taken such an interest in Alavin? It was a subtle feeling during the championship, but tonight, they were blatantly strolling in the moonlight. Were they about to go public with their affections? "Could Alavin have resorted to some underhanded trick?" Elder Connas suddenly wondered.

"You mean to say, Alavin has secretly...?" Adirich found the idea preposterous, but then he thought, what else could melt a woman as frosty as Mariela? Perhaps they had really done the deed. Maybe during the championship, Alavin had crept into Mariela's chamber one night and committed some dishonorable act. Mariel values her reputation above all and probably dared not speak out. Then, Alavin, through persistent wooing and demonstrating his talents during The Clash of Eight Orders, won her over against her better judgment.

This line of thought became lively in an instant. Adirich almost believed it himself.

But Elder Connas didn't care how Alavin had won over Mariela; what mattered was the relationship. If they were truly intimate, it meant Alavin had the backing of the Botanic Haven Elder, and who would dare touch Alavin then? The lad was cunning, securing a powerful ally with swift and sure moves. No wonder the Grand Elder saw Alavin as a threat that needed to be eliminated without delay. It seemed the Grand Elder had been prescient.

"Proceed with the plan tomorrow night," Elder Connas murmured.

"Understood!" The Protégés nodded in unison.

"What about Mariela?"

"We'll distract her then."

As the night deepened and the valley's campfires dwindled, weariness settled upon the group. Yet, Alavin and Mariela were still atop the hillock, indulging in each other's company. From their vantage point, Alavin, shameless as ever, was even lying atop Mariela. The scene was a portrait of intimacy.

"Is there no end to this? At least be mindful of the impression you make."

"I never knew Mariela had such a wild side. She's completely ignoring our presence."

"They say once the ice queen thaws, well... hehe... it's quite something..."

The Protégés joked softly, still glancing towards the hilltop now and then.

Suddenly, Elder Connas' brow furrowed, and he stood up, peering intently at the hilltop as if something was amiss.

"Elder, what's wrong?" Adirich yawned.

The more Elder Connas looked, the more he felt something was off, and he quickly strode towards the hillock.

The other Protégés exchanged looks, then followed suit.