The Legendary Mage (Alavin) novel Chapter 48

If one craved a new spell of battle magic, ordinary Protégés had to demonstrate remarkable growth and innate talent to convince the Cobalt Order of their worthiness for cultivation. Otherwise, their hopes rested upon the biannual public selections.

Perched atop the soaring peak of Cobalt Mount, a thousand meters above the earth, the Arcanum was shrouded in mist, surrounded by ancient, lush trees, a tranquil and exquisite environment.

Alavin arrived at this serene place early the next morning.

The duel he had scheduled with Galos had become the talk of the settlement, not so much because of Alavin or Galos, but due to the involvement of Celesse, which added a layer of anticipation to the confrontation.

The fact that Celesse had secured Alavin's chance to enter Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls was also widely known. But no one believed that merely acquiring a new spell would enable Alavin to best Galos. The discussions revolved more around why Celesse took such a special interest in Alavin.

The guardian elder of the Arcanum, his hair as white as winter snow yet his spirit vibrant, nodded with a gentle smile. "You must be Alavin."

"Greetings, Elder."

"Sign in here, and once you've chosen your spell, sign out. You may ascend to the third level and remain for half a day, but you may select only one Combat Magic. A piece of advice, since this is your first true encounter with Combat Magic, choose a Tier-4 Novice spell. Get to know the craft. When the time comes, you may return for a Tier-3 or Tier-2 Novice spell. Do not overestimate your talents and reach for a Tier-1 spell right away; it could end up being counterproductive."

"I will heed your counsel," Alavin thanked the guardian elder.

"Enter now, and mind you, no brawling," the elder said with a nod and a smile.

Alavin stepped into Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls, where the first level was spacious, lined with exquisite shelves. Each spellbook was accompanied by a detailed explanation. The area was somewhat cool and quiet, with only a few Protégés making their selections or sitting in deep study.

Free access was reserved for those personally mentored by the Elders, but not all Elite Protégés were of exceptional talent or lineage. Some, like Tyral, were there due to influential connections. Others were offspring of wealthy merchants, sent with heavy purses in hopes of achieving greatness.