The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Within Amber Valley, a power struggle erupted, with many coveting the position of the valley leader and numerous assassins decisively breaking away from the valley's influence.

Lords Falconcrest, Warbringer, and Mountguard fell into an unprecedented silence, focusing on healing their wounds before anything else.

The Commander of the Stellar Precepts invited two Citadel Elders to stay with them for a few days before sending them on their way. As for the terms they agreed upon, that remained a mystery to outsiders. Meanwhile, Cobalt Strike sealed off their place and began a ruthless internal purge, sweeping away the Grand Elder faction with a broadsword's decisiveness. They removed those whose loyalty wavered during the rebellion and even sent out their own Elders to hunt down the rebels in the forests. They were not worried that the purge might weaken their order, for as long as Alavin remained a Cobalt Strike Protégé, the mighty Eighteen Kings' Relic would be their unshakable guardian.

Alavin's name once again spread throughout Cobalt Strike, but this time it was not with mockery or disdain but with respect and awe.

After the storm, Alavin slept for three days and nights straight and, upon waking in a daze, continued to rest for another two days and nights. It had been too long since he had last enjoyed such a restful slumber.

With his golden blood and the Restoration Mantra, his body had healed long ago, but his spirit had been greatly taxed, and he took the opportunity to let his body relax.

When he awoke, it was evening, and outside was very quiet, likely because his family was careful not to disturb him, avoiding the yard where he rested.

"Say... lad, can we strike a deal?" A lazy voice suddenly emerged from Alavin's chest.

Alavin shook his head forcefully. Where was that voice coming from?

"I'm lying right under you, and our pose is a bit awkward," grumbled the small turtle that was flattened beneath him on the bed, looking rather forlorn. Alavin had been lying on it for five days and nights without changing positions, frightening the creature into retreating into its shell without daring to stretch its limbs, lest the position becomes even more embarrassing.

Alavin propped himself up and looked down at his chest. Was it an Ivory Turtle? And it was adorned with an ivory chain. He remembered now; it was the turtle from the Royal Mausoleum. But when had it attached itself to his neck? Alavin had been so mentally strained in the past few days that he hadn't noticed the new addition.

The little white turtle finally poked its head out from its shell and swung the chain onto Alavin's shoulder. "Let's negotiate. My shell seems to be linked with your heart. See if you can help me break free."

"You can speak the common tongue?"

"Isn't that obvious? Am I not speaking it?"

"Have you always lived in the Royal Mausoleum?" Alavin asked in surprise, only now noticing the chain extending from his chest and connecting to the turtle's shell.

"I've been asleep there for ten thousand years," the turtle said, twisting its shell and stretching luxuriously.

"You've been there since ten millennia ago? How did you get inside?" Alavin was astonished and skeptical. This little creature was over ten thousand years old.

"It's a long story. Back in the day...

never mind, I'd rather not talk about it." The turtle had tried many ways to break the chain over the days but had failed. It was disheartened. If it hadn't been locked up for ten thousand years, its temper worn down, it might have already snapped at Alavin and made a break for it.

Alavin focused for a moment and indeed felt the chain that seemed to grow from his heart and merge with the turtle in a mystical manner. "How did you get attached to me?"

The turtle strolled on Alavin's

shoulder, speaking nonchalantly, "It

was those old immortals' doing.

Maybe you should try to speak with

them. Even if they wanted me to protect you, there was no need for this kind of method. Let's be reasonable, shall we? We're all adults here; let's have a proper conversation. Besides, it's not proper for me to hang on you all the time. Imagine if you're with your lady love one day, and I'm stuck in the middle. I don't mind. I've seen it all, but it

might be awkward for you two."

Alavin's expression turned bizarre. This little turtle... was quite improper.

Just then, Balder burst through the door. "You're awake? I heard voices inside."

"Eeek..." The turtle suddenly widened its eyes, adopting an exaggerated expression, and gazed intently at the plump and round Balder, clicking its tongue. "This plump lad, so full of life."