The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

The incident at Golden Scorch grew more intense by the day; the more the Rocke family tried to control it, the more fervently it was proclaimed outside until at last word reached Cobalt Strike. "In the dead of night, a blinding light erupted from the city of Golden Scorch, and an ancient, mystical sword appeared in the sky. Its energy created a storm that pierced the heavens and earth." "The sword's radiant power cast eighteen shadows across the city, like eighteen ancient statues, solemn and vast."

"The phenomenon began and ended in but a brief moment."

"The next morning, Lawren returned to Golden Scorch and commanded that no one speak of the night's strange events."

News upon news lay on the desks of the Cobalt Strike Commander and the Grand Elder. The appearance of magical treasures often came with strange occurrences, which was nothing out of the ordinary. A few treasures emerging in Golden Scorch was normal, but both the Commander and the Grand Elder were particularly sensitive to the eighteen ancient shadows.

It seemed to bear a resemblance to the Immortal Edge they knew of.

The Immortal Edge! Could it truly be?

Over eight years had passed since Alavin's parents vanished, and with them, the Immortal Edge had been lost for just as long.

How could it appear in Golden Scorch? And right after the Mallister family had been set free during such a peculiar time!

The Grand Elder stood atop a mountain, gazing toward Golden Scorch. A cold glint flickered deep within his eyes.

"Lanard! Was it truly you?"

After the caravan transporting Alavin's parents was plundered, the Grand Elder had once commissioned the four ancient cities to investigate jointly. One task was to search for Alavin's parents; the other was to determine if other powers had ambushed them. At the time, Golden Scorch had been most active in the investigation, leaving no stone unturned.

Now it seemed like the thief was crying, "catch the thief!"

"Grand Elder!" Two Elders approached the mountain's peak, bowing respectfully.

"Accompany me to Golden Scorch."

The two Elders exchanged glances. "You wish to go there yourself?"

"Each of you, gather five hundred Protégés, and we depart before nightfall!"

"But we're not certain it is the Immortal Edge. Is it wise to go so rashly..."

"The Chained Spirit of Botanic Haven is no longer there. It must have been what awakened the Immortal Edge. Since the Immortal Edge has revealed itself in Golden Scorch, the Rocke family must have something to do with the events of that year. Guilty or not, a trial will tell."

"We understand," the Elders said, quickly departing.

"Lanard, you had better have your excuses ready!" The Grand Elder muttered coldly. His voice, like falling shards of ice, was piercing to the bone.

Atop Botanic Haven.

The Commander sought out the ancient Botanic Haven Elder and asked directly, "Where is the Chained Spirit?"

"Alavin!" The Botanic Haven Elder roused from his meditation.

"Alavin? You mean the Chained Spirit is within him?" The Commander looked incredulously at the Botanic Haven Elder. Alavin? The Chained Spirit and Alavin? How could they be together? This could spell doom for Cobalt Strike!

"Do not fret; Mariela is keeping an eye on Alavin, and they have an agreement."

"Can Mariela manage this? Alavin's murderous and cunning nature is greater than I estimated."

"He has always been so. It is we who never truly understood him." The Botanic Haven Elder could almost confirm that it was Alavin who awakened the Immortal Edge and that he had already joined forces with the Chained Spirit to take it away. He had surmised it would take Alavin at least half a year to find the assassin, yet in just a month, he had secured the Immortal Edge.

The Commander furrowed his brow. "If Alavin has discovered the assassin, why did he not inform the Organization at once? What is he planning?"

"With the Chained Spirit, he has no need for the Organization. He intends to resolve this turmoil in his own way."