The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Just recently achieved," Alavin confirmed.

"Advanced Mage? You've broken through?" Lucan exclaimed, surprised. "When did this happen? How did I not know?"

Felir and Dainis exchanged looks of astonishment. Advanced Mage? Had Alavin advanced without a whisper? Such a prodigious pace was astounding!

Daman laughed heartily, pleased. "Excellent! He wasn't mistaken about you." He had been told that if Alavin reached Advanced Mage within half a year, there would be no more dissent within the family. Now, with the breakthrough achieved, Alavin's potential to become an Archmage someday was clear, and Daman would return with good news.

"Let's not linger here. Let's enter the city," Balder beckoned the caravan.

Lawren, ever the diplomat, quickly resumed his smile. "Ah, if you're friends of Alavin, then you are friends of ours. Forgive my earlier conduct, please come in."

The Mollen family's caravan entered the ancient city. Their wagons were laden with food, clothing, and vital herbs, just the first of many shipments meant to help Stormcast through the impending winter, to rebuild homes, and to restore the city to its normal rhythm.

Lawren had never expected Alavin to enlist such a formidable alliance for aid and realized he had underestimated Alavin's influence and resources. He secretly gave Dainis and Felir strict orders to keep a close eye on Alavin, ensuring they wouldn't be caught off guard again.

The siblings began to keep Alavin company, offering him warm greetings and friendly conversation. Alavin managed their attentions with ease, while meandering through the town, checking on how the people were faring, assessing the mood of the populace, and inspecting the condition of the city walls.

As evening approached, the siblings grew anxious. Alavin seemed guarded, and they couldn't pry any useful information from his lips. Felir had considered trying to coax some words from Balder, but the rotund fellow was even more sly, chuckling and talking a lot, yet revealing nothing of substance.

"Alavin, someone is looking for you," Oda told Alavin as soon as he entered the town hall.

"Who is it?"

"A beauty!" Oda said, pulling him along with a grin.

Felir and Dainis exchanged glances, following Alavin. Dainis joked, "Which maiden has followed you here?"

"A fine beauty indeed! Hurry, she's just arrived!" Oda urged Alavin to move faster.

"Why the excitement?" Alavin asked with a chuckle, shaking his head.

In the courtyard, Helna emerged from the house, leading a lady clad in white by the hand, her smile radiant.

The lady was dressed in snow-white garments, with an aura of frost swirling around her, her long hair cascading down like a waterfall, smooth and graceful. Her silhouette was flawless, a sight stunning enough to take one's breath away.

"Lady Mariela, my brother is here," Oda announced, dragging Alavin back.

Mariela? Why had she returned? Alavin wondered.

Mariela quickly pulled away from Helna and strode over to Alavin, seemingly overwhelmed by the presence of Helna. "Where do you live?"

"Over there," Alavin pointed to a simple dwelling ahead, with just a couple of rooms.

"Who lives next to you?"

"No one."

"I will," Mariela stated, moving her belongings straight into the adjacent room. She wasn't one for socializing with crowds.

Helna nodded in satisfaction, convinced that there was indeed something between the two. Now, they seemed set to live together.

Oda winked at Alavin, making a fist as if to say, "Come on."

Alavin didn't quite understand what had just transpired, and why Mariela had settled in so promptly.

Balder grumbled, "That room was supposed to be mine."

"Who is she?" Dainis asked, puzzled by the enchantingly beautiful woman. So lovely and pure, she seemed like a maiden straight out of a mystical realm, not someone who could have been raised by any ordinary family or organization. How could such a woman be associated with Alavin, and even move into his courtyard so boldly?

"She's the Botanic Haven Elite Protégé from Cobalt Strike, Mariela," Lucan added as he followed them in.

"Is that Mariela?" The siblings were shocked. They certainly knew of Cobalt Strike's Mariela, the sole Protégé of an Elder from Botanic Haven. But something didn't add up. Wasn't Alavin just a servant before? How did he suddenly have so many friends?