The Legendary Mage (Alavin)
Chapter 31

Alavin, with his Gold-Veined Bronzesword in hand, left the clearing but didn't rush back to Mount Eagle. Instead, he continued to search the forest for Elixir Herbs, while also seeking out Magi-Monsters to spar with. With ten days remaining before the time of gathering, he didn't want to waste the rare opportunity to be out and about. Having dealt with the threat of Nysah, he had no more concerns to hold him back.

Over the next few days, his efforts were fruitful. He found four Ordinary Elixir Herbs, and three Ordinary Elixir Fruits, and had skirmished with some Magi-Monsters. Alavin was working hard to solidify his realm as a Novice Mage Stage IV, trying to give himself as much room for improvement as possible.

He encountered many adventuring mercenary bands along the way, but he always left without making contact.

Today, however, instead of avoiding a band of mercenaries, Alavin slowly approached them. By the banks of a stream, a group of mercenaries had just slain an Ironhide Bull and were busily dividing its valuable horns and hide, items that would fetch a good price in the city. Each mercenary carried a bulging purse, indicating a successful haul.

Alavin's attention was drawn to a middle-aged man among them whose body crackled with electric energy. His rugged face lit up with the intensity of the arcs. On his right arm coiled a thick Shockwave Cobra, not a real Magi-Monster but a construct of pure lightning, so lifelike it seemed to hiss at the sky. The sight was both magnificent and shocking, igniting a spark of desire in Alavin's heart.

It was this middle-aged man who had repelled the Ironhide Bull with a single blow. His body shone with electric brilliance, and the Shockwave Cobra detached from his arm, coiling around the bull and, with a thunderous roar, exploded in a violent storm of lightning.

"Indigo Viper, powerful enough to be worth a fortune in gold," the man exclaimed. His arm was raised to the sky as the Shockwave Cobra hissed fiercely. He had executed the spell many times, each time defeating his enemy with a single strike, to astonishing effect.

"Such dominant Combat Magic can only be wielded by you, Sir!" A seductive woman exclaimed in admiration.

Another man, cleaning the bull's sharp horns by the stream, grinned and said, "We've made a good haul this time. We'll exchange it for gold and get a fitting weapon for you, Sir."

The middle-aged man dismissed the Shockwave Cobra. "No need for weapons; it's better to find suitable Combat Magic for you all. The stronger the Combat Magic, the stronger we become, and the farther we'll go. In three years, every one of us should master a Tier-2 Novice Combat Magic."

"We'll follow your lead!" the other mercenaries laughed heartily.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" The man's gaze suddenly turned icy as he looked towards the place where Alavin was hiding.

Was someone there? The other mercenaries quickly armed themselves, their expressions stern, ready for battle.

Alavin, standing in the woods, did not reveal himself. "I mean no harm. I was just passing by and came to see what the noise was about."

"Stick to your own path, stranger, and we'll stick to ours!" They called out.

"Not so fast. I have a fine sword here, and I hope to exchange it for your Indigo Viper Combat Magic!"

A Tier-2 Novice Combat Magic, particularly of the lightning variety, was perfect for Alavin.

Cobalt Strike forbade him from learning Combat Magic, at least for a considerable time to come. If they wouldn't give it, he would make his own exchange! He had Ogmundr's Gold-Veined Bronzesword on hand.

"A sword? Show us," the middle-aged man whispered, signaling his companions to be vigilant of the surrounding woods, wary of other potential threats.

Alavin hesitated, then donned a bark mask and stepped out of the forest, lifting the Gold-Veined Bronzesword high. The sword vibrated slightly, emitting a pleasing ring. Its surface shimmered with light, and the gold veins were strikingly conspicuous. It clearly was no ordinary weapon.

The mercenaries' eyes lit up - what a sword!

"Bring it here for us to see," the woman, whose own weapon was a sword, couldn't take her eyes off the Gold-Veined Bronzesword.

Alavin backed into the forest. "We'll trade at a different spot, just up ahead."

"Would this be a trap?" the wary mercenaries asked.

"Spread out. Let's check it out," the cautious middle-aged man said as they followed.

Alavin stopped at the edge of a nearby cliff, with a roaring river below - a quick escape route if danger arose. He was deeply wary of these mercenaries and could not fully trust them.

The middle-aged man and the woman emerged from the forest to the cliff's edge, while the rest stayed back, watchful.

"Where did you get this sword? And why trade it?" the man inquired.

"I found it! A few days ago, I saw a band of mercenaries chasing some folk, apparently for this very sword. They, unfortunately, met a swarm of Vermilion Spiders, which allowed me to pick up the sword quite opportunistically," Alavin lied, prepared to claim he had simply found it on the road if anyone later inquired. The demise of Ogmundr and his companions was due to those mercenaries, and not his concern.

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