The elders of various organizations received the message and began to inundate Cobalt Strike Elders with queries. "Is Alavin truly a servant? An apprentice just a year ago? What was Cobalt Strike thinking?"
Elders like Marthew were both embarrassed and annoyed. They muddled through with vague answers and, upon return, gave Adirich and the others a severe reprimand. They had been gently reminded not to mention Alavin's servitude, but now, before the championship even started, rumors were already swirling. It must have been Adirich and those other lads spreading the word on purpose, to shame Alavin.
Alavin, however, was nonchalant about the whole affair. The moment he stepped into the citadel of Warriors' Vale, he had no intention of hiding any longer. He was there to make a name for himself, after all. The more renowned he became, the greater the chance of winning freedom for his kin in the future.
"Is Alavin here? I am a Floral Enchantress' Protégé. We have arranged a feast at the Four Seas Tower in the inner city and wish to invite Alavin to attend."
"Is Roald around? I am a Stellar Precepts' Protégé. Would you care to join us for a gathering?"
"And who might Mariela be? Heh, I am a Hidden Essence's Protégé, Julris. Might I have the honor of your company for a stroll?"
That evening, Protégés from various organizations came to invite Alavin, Mariela, and others to their feasts.
Such banquets were common before a championship, a chance for people to meet, familiarize themselves with each other, and casually probe into each other's secrets.
The number of people coming to invite members of Cobalt Strike was unusually high today, driven mainly by a curiosity about Alavin, the stage VIII 'servant.'
Others invited Alavin too, but he declined them all with the excuse of 'still being confined.'
Deep into the night, when all was quiet, Alavin sat cross-legged in his chamber, circulating the Restoration Mantra and absorbing the Restoration Aether from the world around him.
The citadel of Warriors' Vale was a treasure trove, filled with vibrant energy and bursting with life, rivaling even that of Cobalt Strike. This was to Alavin's benefit, as his breaths drew in power, spreading wide to attract Restoration Aether to his presence.
The Restoration Aether circulated through his body, nourishing his spirit and tempering his physique. The surging vitality in each cell was pulsating a wondrous comfort.
Alavin reveled in the nourishment the Restoration Mantra provided, finding it indescribably refreshing each time.
Suddenly, his eyebrows twitched, and his gaze shifted toward the window. Moonlight, cool and clear as water, spilled through the window into the room. Zx
On the windowsill lay a fluffy little fox, delicate and youthful. Its fur was pure white without a hint of impurity, like a pristine snowball. Its eyes shone a vivid red, like two gleaming rubies, fixated on Alavin, and its small ears twitched with curiosity.
"A Magi-Monster?" Alavin could sense something extraordinary about the little fox as its eyes were brimming with intelligence.
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