The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Father, we must take action with haste, for Alavin is more intricate than we anticipated."

In the dead of night, Dainis cautioned her father, having initially assumed Alavin was but a newly empowered youth, lacking support and background. If the Rocke family granted him a favor, they thought he would be eternally grateful and obediently comply. But they had sorely misjudged. The lad was far from simple. Today, the Mollen family and the Botanic Haven Elite Protégé paid him a visit. Who knew who else would come tomorrow? Should the day come when Alavin had amassed a following and the dynamics within Stormcast grew complex, they would miss their chance to strike.

Lawren's countenance was dark with concern. "Indeed, Alavin is no simpleton. I've managed to extract tidings from the common guards of the Mallister family. It seems Alavin might be in deeper cahoots with the Mollen family, and he has a close friend, Cedrick, of the Iron family!"

Felir spoke up. "We've underestimated Alavin, but he doesn't suspect us yet, and he appreciates our gestures. That is our advantage. I concur with my sister. We should act swiftly and not delay any further." "Daman is in the city. It's not wise for us to make our move now."

"Then we must circumvent him!"

"Do you have a plan?" Lawren truly wished not to startle the quarry, for even the slightest misstep could lead to exposure. If Cobalt Strike were to unearth even a hint of their scheme, Golden Scorch could spel their doom, an end far worse than that of Stormcast. If not for this concern, he wouldn't be thick-skinned, playing the good Samaritan here. He would have already seized the Mallister family and interrogated them thoroughly.

"We could bypass the others and seize Helna or Korb. We'll take just one to test the waters."

"Just take them? That's unwise!"

"Of course not directly. We must first devise a ruse to distract the townsfolk. My plan is..."

As the townspeople finished their day's toil, they returned to their humble abodes for rest. Although their living conditions were much like the same as those of the mining districts, their spirits were entirely different. They worked with vigor, filled with passion, and looked forward to a brighter future.

The Mollen family had delivered a bounty of food that day, and with the game brought in by the Mallister family's guards from the forest, their meals were quite satisfactory. The men even had a bit of ale to ease their fatigue.

The atmosphere within the town's keep was harmonious, and the arrival of the Mollen family bolstered the spirits of the Mallister folk, bringing smiles to every face.

Korb and the others marveled at the Lord Alavin's charm, for he had managed to bring the famed Thousand Treasures Commerce of the Northlands. There would no longer be fear; they could sleep soundly at last.

In the still of the night, Alavin knocked on Mariela's door. "Mariela? Have you retired early?"

"What is it?" came Mariela's icy voice from within.

"That... you know." Alavin grinned sheepishly.

"I do not," Mariela replied bluntly.

Alavin scratched his head. "I mean the matter I discussed with you the other night. Has your mentor agreed?"

"Let's talk tomorrow."

"Oh, come now, I can't sleep."

"I can."

In the courtyard nearby, Helna, Oda, and the others pressed their ears to the windows, listening with rapt attention. Eh? What were those two whispering about?

Alavin paced outside the door. "You're surely not asleep. May I come in?"

"No!"

"At least give me a clear answer. Your vagueness leaves me uneasy." Alavin was eager to know the Botanic Haven Elder's decision, whether there were any conditions, and how they would deal with the Chained Spirit.

"Why did you not attend to this earlier? We'll discuss it tomorrow."

"It's just a few words. You don't have to be so..."

"Tomorrow it is, then."

"Is it good news or bad?"

"The day after tomorrow."

"What? You..."

"The day after that."

"Please, no."

"Postpone it another day."

Alavin clamped his mouth shut, outmaneuvered. He rubbed his face vigorously and sighed, preparing to leave.

Helna shook her head in disappointment. Alas, the lad was too upright. Any other man would have barged in by now.

Suddenly...

A series of hoarse screams echoed through the darkness, carried by the cold night breeze from the north of the city. Soon, there was chaos, shouting, calling, an amalgam of discordant sounds.

Alavin spun around, frowning toward the southern quarter. Then, the tumult erupted from the west, the east, and all other districts, threatening to engulf the entire city.

"What's happened?" Mariela flung open her door, with Helna, Korb, Oda, and the rest darting out in panic. What had brought such sudden disorder?