The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Chapter 30

Panting heavily, Ogmundr exclaimed, "You're still alive, thank the stars above. I was about to seek help."

"Is that so?" Alavin sneered, dashing past Ogmundr with the three spiders still in pursuit.

After scaling two mountains, they finally shook off the spiders. Exhausted, they leaned against the great trees, gasping for breath, surviving by the skin of their teeth. It took a while before they could muster the strength to stand.

Nysah came to, weak and giving Alavin a complex look. Ogmundr, also catching his breath, lifted his eyes to Alavin.

They hadn't expected Alavin to save them, but... why? It was most irregular.

Alavin met their probing looks. "Don't recognize me?"

"Why?" Nysah asked.

"Why what?"

"Why did you save us?"

"Shouldn't you be thanking me?"

"What is your true purpose?" Nysah couldn't believe Alavin's intentions were purely altruistic.

"What do you want?" Ogmundr was suspicious of Alavin's motives, as they were quite abnormal.

Alavin gazed at them steadily for a while, shook his head, and tore a strip of cloth to wipe the blood from his Dawnedge Blade. "No ulterior motives, I just wanted to save you. It's that simple."

"I don't believe it! Speak your desire," Nysah suddenly thought, could Alavin be planning to use this as leverage for something? Rather than watching her perish in the valley, wouldn't it be better for him to save her? And then would she be threatened in the future, or be extorted? The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed, and she also recalled her humiliating ordeal in the valley. If Alavin were to exaggerate the tale back at Cobalt Strike, wouldn't she become the laughingstock?

"The events of today, you must keep secret. Once we return to Cobalt Strike, I will give you three Advanced Elixir Herbs, and from then on, you'll keep your mouth shut." Ogmundr didn't want his mishaps to be broadcast back to Cobalt Strike, either. He knew his performance had been terrible. If Alavin spiced up the story, his chance of becoming an Elite Protégé at the Botanic Haven would vanish.

Nysah and Ogmundr's thoughts were surprisingly aligned. Having narrowly escaped the jaws of death, they were more concerned about their reputations and convinced that Alavin's rescue was ill- intentioned.

Alavin, brandishing the Dawnedge Blade, said, "I do think you should at least say thank you."

"There's no need between us, you save people only to threaten them," Nysah, propped up by an old tree, stood up.

"You are wrong."

"Wrong? Spare me your act. Speak what you want now, and we'll call it even."

"I saved you out of compassion," Alavin suddenly pressed the Dawnedge Blade against Nysah's throat, his eyes cold. "Killing you is to prevent future troubles."

With a swish, the Dawnedge Blade suddenly grazed Nysah's throat, blood spattered in a tragically beautiful arc. Nysah clutched her throat, her pupils dilated, and she looked at Alavin in disbelief.

"At least you die with dignity," Alavin said coldly, then turned to Ogmundr.

In shock, Ogmundr stared at Nysah, a chill running through him, struggling to rise. "What... what are you going to do..."

"Do what you most desire," Alavin approached Ogmundr.

Nysah collapsed heavily to the ground, her eyes empty, mouth opening, but ultimately silent. A beauty, just like that, perished in the forest.

"I can give you what you want. I swear.

"Alavin, you need not do this, I have no quarrel with you. It was Nysah who wanted to kill you.

"She deserved death; her heart was venomous, and I was just incited. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Don't come closer. I am a Protégé of Botanic Haven. You can't kill me."

Ogmundr was truly panicked, backing away, holding the old tree for support, and pointing his Gold- Veined Bronzesword shakily at Alavin. He hadn't expected Alavin's rescue was actually to facilitate murder! So decisively and swiftly, he had killed Nysah.

"Hah, a Protégé of Botanic Haven, you?" Alavin brandished his sword towards Ogmundr's throat.

"I have Super Elixir Herbs. I can exchange them for my life."

Alavin was unmoved, his sword raised and fell.

Ogmundr screamed, "You can't! No..."

With a swish!

Blood spattered, and the scream stopped abruptly.