Chapter 13


    vin leaned against the stone urn. His injuries were severe, and his breath sounded ragged. The


    scent of charred flesh wafted from his chest where the Inferno Serpent Strike had hit him, and his


    ribs felt as though they were splintered. Yet he did not cry out in pain or show weakness; instead, a


    mischievous smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. "Nysah, no need to shout so; you''ll give the


    wrong impression."


    "You madman! Bastard!" Nysah shrieked in embarrassment and fury. She attempted tounch


    another assault, but the motion aggravated the wound on her shoulder, turning her face pale with


    pain.


    "If you can finish me, then do so without more talk; if not, be gone," vin spat out a mouthful of


    blood and drew a throwing knife from his belt. Gritting through the pain, he gathered his energy and


    took up a strange stance, channeling all his strength into his right hand.


    This was his life-saving throwing knife technique, one he would not reveal lightly if Nysah''s skill


    were not so vastly superior.


    "He wields a knife?" Nysah couldn''t hide her reproach toward Tyral. This skill with the de was not


    something acquired in two or three years; it was exceptionally tricky and, coupled with his strength,


    formidable in power. It didn''t seem like something he had picked up on his own, more like a set of


    Combat Magic. And yet, Cobalt Strike did not usually teach Combat Magic involving throwing


    knives.


    "I truly did not know," Tyral said, his voice a blend of frustration and rm. He, too, had noticed the


    unusual nature of the knife.


    "Hey, Nysah, your undergarments are showing," vin whistled.


    "Shameless!" Nysah hastily adjusted her skirt, and seizing the distraction, vin concentrated and


    flung the knife. But at that moment, a whooshing sound broke the air as a young man with an iron


    sword strapped to his back rushed toward them. The sword glowed with a golden aura. Its fierce


    energy and dazzling light were palpable even from afar.


    "Roald the Goldgrace? st it, what is he doing here?" Nysah''s face shifted with concern. She


    quickly tidied her tattered garments and dashed into the dense woods, casting an angry nce


    back at vin before she left.


    "Nysah! Wait for me," Tyral recognized the neer as well and fled in a panic, leaving vin


    behind.


    vin''s brow furrowed slightly as he pocketed his knife.


    Soon, a young man dressed in ck approached vin. He was strikingly good-looking, not with a


    delicate beauty but with a rugged handsomeness. His features were sharply defined, and his gaze


    piercing and profound, exuding an unintentional but unmistakable aura of intimidation.


    The most striking feature of his attire was the gleaming golden feathers embroidered on the cor of


    his ck clothing—a special symbol denoting a noble status—the mark of a Golden Protégé!


    The ranks of Cobalt Strike were strictly organized into Ordinary Protégés, Elite Protégés, and


    Golden Protégés.


    Ordinary Protégés were further categorized into Freshman Protégés, Intermediate Protégés, and


    Senior Protégés.


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    There were over eight thousand Protégés in the Cobalt Strike, the vast majority of whom were


    Ordinary ones. There were only about six hundred Elite Protégés, and a mere thirty Golden


    Protégés. In the teenage bracket, there were only five.


    This man before vin was one of those Golden Protégés, one of the five prodigies of the new


    generation, known as Roald the Goldgrace.


    He was a talent beyond measure, having created many miracles for Cobalt Strike. His golden sword


    was a weapon personally forged by the Commander of Cobalt Strike, naturally emanating a fierce


    energy.


    vin was an Ordinary Protégé, and among them, he was a Freshman, one who was being


    punished, and belonged to the lowest echelon. Compared to the man before him, he was like a


    sparrow on the ground to an eagle soaring in the sky.


    "What has happened here?" Roald asked with a detached tone. He had been on his way to Botanic


    Haven to collect some Elixir Herb when he heard the sounds ofbat and hade to


    investigate. The scene was chaotic, with embers still glowing on the ground, clearly the aftermath of


    a recent struggle.


    vin was seriously wounded, but Roald showed no intention of offering help, instead fixing vin


    with a disapproving look.


    "Nothing of your concern. Sorry for causing you trouble," vin said, pressing down the pain and


    weakness as he turned to leave.


    "Halt!" Roaldmanded coldly.


    vin, holding his wounded chest, faced away from Roald. "Speak!"


    "I''ve warned you more than once—the stronger you act, the more severe your punishment will be.


    You''ll never escape from Cobalt Strike. You''d do well to serve obediently, to hold awe for everyone.


    Bow your head when you can, and bend your knee rather than stand tall. Only then might you earn


    forgiveness. If you wish to return to your Stormcast sooner, heed my words."


    "Your advice is noted," vin replied without turning back, and he departed from the mountaintop.


    "Foolish boy!"


    "This is none of your affairs."


    "Don''t think that bing a Novice Mage will grant you recognition. Your parents are criminals of


    Cobalt Strike, and their sins will be atoned by you for a lifetime. Without Combat Magic to guide


    your magic, do not dream of advancing further in the Novice Mage ranks. I decree you shall not


    progress beyond Novice Mage Stage VI," Roald snorted coldly. As a Golden Protégé revered and


    envied by all, he would not typically concern himself with a Freshman like vin, but there was a


    special link between them—Celesse!


    Celesse was one of the five Golden Protégés of the new generation, with beauty that was


    memorizing. She was a talent recognized by organizations and factions far and wide, with an


    extraordinaryposure akin to that of a celestial being. She was the goddess in the hearts of all


    Protégés of Cobalt Strike.


    Roald was infatuated with Celesse and ardently pursued her, but Celesse''s heart was not with him


    at all.


    vin paid no heed to his adversary and dragged his weary and wounded body down from the


    mountain summit. A carefree smile graced his face, though it was the kind of smile that tugged at


    one''s heartstrings. For eight long years, he had faced too many such skirmishes. He knew well that


    as his strength grew, so would the threats and traps set against him, but fear had no ce in his


    heart, nor would he ever cower or grovel.