Chapter 50


    "Thank you for your guidance."


    "No need for thanks." The quiet Protégé smiled and nodded, returning to his perusal of a tome on


    Combat Magic.


    vin, with the scroll of Goliath Force tucked under his arm, wandered among the bookshelves


    once more.


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    Tomes on lightning-based Combat Magic were rare indeed, and after scouring the third level, he


    had managed to find only five. Among them was ''Thundervein Valor,'' the very tome Galos was


    practicing.


    vin leaned against a shelf to study it, hoping to better understand his opponent, Galos.


    Before long, someone came to the third level to remind vin, "Your time is nearly up."


    Elite Protégés had the privilege ofing and going from the Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls as they


    pleased, unlike themon Protégés.


    After leaving the sanctum with Goliath Force in hand, vin went to sign out with the Elder.


    "Let''s see what you''ve chosen," the Elder said, taking the scoll from vin. He meticulously


    checked each book before it was borrowed, ensuring no pages were missing. That way, if any were


    absent upon return, it was clear that the Protégé had tampered with it.


    The Elder looked at vin in surprise. "Goliath Force? Are you certain you want this one?"


    vin signed his name. "I am certain."


    "I''ve warned you before, it''s best to start with something more suitable for novices when you first


    delve into Combat Magic. Tier-4 Novice Combat Magic isn''t necessarily weak; it''s just more


    straightforward and easier to master. The power of Combat Magic isn''t in its strength, but in how


    well it suits you.


    “Also, remember that you can borrow each Combat Magic tome for three months. Are you sure you


    can master it in that time? And I must remind you, it''s forbidden to copy any of the Combat Magic


    from the Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls in secret."


    "Don''t worry, Elder, I understand your concern."


    The Elder was exasperated; why wouldn''t the boy take advice? "The Goliath Force demands a


    robust physique, not just strength. The power it unleashes is immense, but so is the recoil. A weak


    constitution could very well shatter your channels of energy. Are you really sure about choosing


    Goliath Force?"


    "I''ve made my choice."


    With a sigh, the elder recorded vin''s decision. He could only advise; if the young man was


    insistent, then so be it.


    vin left with Goliath Force, a smile on his face, ready for a hearty training session. But just as he


    stepped into the forest, a whistle came from the shade of a tree along with a sly greeting, "Ho there,


    vin? Over here, it''s me, no foe."


    vin looked over and saw a rotund figure peeking out from behind arge tree, waving him over


    with a cheerful grin. "Come,e, I have a matter to discuss."


    "Either youe here, or we have nothing to talk about," vin recognized the chubby guy, also an


    Elite Protégé. But this one was a typical case of connections over talent - average in ability but


    wealthy and resourceful, with ess to Combat Magic and personal guidance from an elder. Thus,


    his strength was fairly respectable.


    "Don’t be so tense. How could I harm you?" The fat man, Balder Mollen, from the powerful Mollen


    family of the Nortnds, checked to ensure they were alone before clearing his throat and stepping


    out. His family was known for their magical ore business. They owned vast mines in the mountains,


    and were both wealthy and influential.


    However, in recent years, the Mollen family''s interests seemed to have shifted; they were now as


    intrigued by people as they were by magical ores.


    "You have business with me?" vin observed Balder''s exaggerated size, inwardly impressed. The


    man was round in every aspect, from head to toe, with a bald pate, no beard, no eyebrows - a living


    embodiment of various-sized meatballs cobbled together.


    They had crossed paths before, but only in passing; this was the first face-to-face meeting. He was


    not just fat; he was artfully so. To grow into such a shape was a feat in itself.


    "I have good news,” Balder said with a toothy grin. His features nearly vanished into his plump


    cheeks like arge bun.


    vin didn’t want to mock the man’s size and tried to maintain a serious expression, but a small


    smile appeared regardless. “Do tell.”


    Balder stepped closer, his flesh rhythmically quivering. He whispered, “To show you my sincerity, I’ll


    share a little secret. Galos was taken away by the Grand Elder yesterday afternoon for private


    tutge, set tost a month.”


    Oh? vin’s mind brightened. Taking Galos away at this time was surely in preparation for the


    Arena contest a month hence.


    “Prepare yourself. Once Galos masters ‘Thundervein Valor,'' you''ll be in danger. The destructive


    force of lightning-based techniques is unmatched, and to withstand him for even the duration of a


    candle stick will be difficult." In Balder''s mind, the thought was clear. It was impossible.