Chapter 45
vin knew that Galos wouldn''t let him leave without a fight. Furrowing his brow, he pondered for a
moment before speaking. "Do you truly wish to test my mettle, Master Galos?"
"A knight should aid his brethren," Galos replied with a grin. "I offer you this chance out of goodwill.
Will you ept it?"
"I''m not at my best today. How about this? In one month''s time, I shall issue you a challenge right
here."
"A challenge? To me?"
"Within the time it takes for a candle to burn. You owe me three sprigs of Pearlwort if I''m still
standing. What say you?"
The surrounding people looked at vin in disbelief, wondering if they had misheard.
"Could you repeat that?" Galos asked, cocking an exaggerated ear.
"In one month, at this ce, I will challenge you, Galos. If I stand until the candle has burned away,
I win, and you give me three sprigs of Pearlwort." vin repeated his words clearly and deliberately.
The crowd gasped in unison. Madness! To challenge Galos? Him?
"What does he mean by one month? Can he really surpass Galos in a month? He must be
dreaming."
"No way! In a month, Galos might have fully mastered the seventh circle of the Novice Mage stage.
His power will be greater, and it won''t take more than a candle''s time—just one strike to send vin
sprawling."
"This is nothing but a desperate stalling tactic."
The others were stunned. How could vin possibly outpace Galos?
Galos paused, then erupted intoughter. "Are you sure?"
"I am certain! I have the will, and I hope you, Master Galos, will give me this opportunity." vin
returned the sentiment. With his current abilities, defeating a seventh circle Novice Mage would be
difficult indeed, but he was confident he couldst the duration of a candle. He had always
fantasized about challenging Galos and experiencing the might of his Thundervein Valor. Now, he
had his chance.
"And if you lose?"
"Then I am at your mercy," vin replied casually.
"Is that your word?"
"It is."
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"Let it be witnessed here that in one month, I will ept vin''s challenge," Galos announced,
spreading his arms to the silent crowd. No one responded; they were all too stunned by vin''s
audacity. He might spar with the fresh recruits or stand up to intermediate apprentices, but a direct
Protégé was out of his league. Galos was clearly baiting him, and yet vin was walking right into
it. Could one call it pride, or sheer folly?
"Until next month," vin said as he hoisted his stone urn to leave.
Galos chuckled. "If you''re not ready in a month, I can wait another. And if that''s still not enough, we
can wait longer."
Scatteredughter rippled through the crowd.
"One month will suffice!" A cool, clear voice suddenly rang out from the eastern side of the arena. It
was melodious yet carried an aloof coldness that reached every corner of the gathering.
All turned to look, and a wave of exmations swept through the crowd.
"Celesse? Is that Celesse?"
"Why is Celesse at the arena?"
A breathtakingly beautiful maiden with a violet veil masking her alluring visage stepped into the
arena. Her elegance was otherworldly, as though she emerged straight from a piece of art. She was
Celesse, the Cobalt Strike''s Golden Protégé! By her side was the striking Carlys, her eyes cool and
disdainful of the pressing throng.
The entire arena was captivated; the male apprentices were filled with adoration, and the female
apprentices with envy. Her beauty was otherworldly and sacred, making it nigh impossible for
onlookers to harbor any irreverent thoughts.
The bustling arena fell silent as a path opened up, leading to vin and Galos. Such encounters
with the lofty Celesse were rare; today, they were fortunate to behold her.
Galos bowed courteously, his heart stirred. "Lady Celesse, congrattions on your ascension to
Advanced Mage!"
He was proud of his own prowess, but he paled inparison to Celesse. Still, that did not diminish
his admiration for her. Only a woman of her exceptional caliber was worthy of his respect.