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.


    vin arrived at this serene ce early the next morning.


    The duel he had scheduled with Galos had be the talk of the settlement, not so much because


    of vin or Galos, but due to the involvement of Celesse, which added ayer of anticipation to the


    confrontation.


    The fact that Celesse had secured vin''s chance to enter Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls was also


    widely known. But no one believed that merely acquiring a new spell would enable vin to best


    Galos. The discussions revolved more around why Celesse took such a special interest in vin.


    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 vin."


    "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 timees, 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," vin thanked the guardian elder.


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


    vin stepped into Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls, where the first level was spacious, lined with


    exquisite shelves. Each spellbook was apanied by a detailed exnation. The area was


    somewhat cool and quiet, with only a few Protégés making their selections or sitting in deep study.


    Free ess 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.


    Though such individuals might’vecked innate ability, their solid connections and substantial


    resources,bined with dedicated instruction, usually ensured they would not fall too far behind.


    On the second level, arger group of Protégés, perhaps a dozen or so, carefully perused the spells


    or conversed in hushed tones.


    vin did not linger on the first two floors, proceeding directly to the third, where Tier-2 Novice


    spells were kept. Given the rarity of the spells, these were already exceedingly precious, and even


    in a grand institution like the Cobalt Strike''s Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls, there were no more than


    sixty, each housed in its own revered spot.


    "Hm?" A Protégé raised an eyebrow at the sight of vin, curious about a new face was in this


    sacred space. Their surprise soon turned to recognition; this must’ve been vin, the servant


    whose name had been on everyone''s lips the previous day.


    While some continued to study the tomes, others curiously watched vin.


    Oblivious to their stares, vin searched the shelves until he found what he was looking for – the


    Goliath Force!


    With anticipation, he settled into a corner and began to pore over the pages. He wanted to see if the


    spell matched his expectations, and if not, he was prepared to select another.


    The Goliath Force he had practiced in the past was self-taught. The initial stages were rudimentary


    compared to the true art.


    Time passed, and the third floor stirred as a distinctive young man arrived. Lean, tall, with a sharply


    defined face that, while not handsome in the ssical sense, was framed by untamed, long hair that


    gave him a rebellious aura. His narrow eyes exuded an inexplicable danger.


    The youth scanned the third level and headed straight towards vin. The onlookers'' interest was


    piqued; it seemed a spectacle was about to unfold.


    Lost in the first segments of the Goliath Force tome, vin was utterly engrossed. He devoured the


    content, sometimes frowning in contemtion, sometimes nodding in realization. The detailed


    descriptions were an epiphany, correcting many of his crude mistakes, and he longed to practice the


    spell immediately.


    "Are you vin?" The youth had to repeat thrice before finally drawing vin''s attention away from


    the tome and to himself.


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    "Cedrick?" vin recognized the fierce young man in an instant.