Chapter 66


    "Where''s vin? Why hasn''t he arrived?"


    "Could he be scared? The difference between their levels is too great; vin might lose his life."


    "He wouldn''t concede defeat outright, would he? Would Galos spare him?"


    As such, a full hour and a half passed in the arena, and the Protégés had yet to see a sign of


    vin. Even Galos grew tired of standing on the stage. Thatd couldn''t be too scared to show up,


    could he?


    Carlys was also puzzled. vin wasn''t one to shrink away; why hadn''t he appeared yet?


    "Celesse, what''s going on? Should I go look for young master vin?"


    "Wait a bit longer; he''lle."


    After a while, as the arena grew restless and dissatisfaction mounted, someone shouted, "He''s


    here!"


    vin had only just appeared on the stone steps, leaving many to wonder where he had been. He


    had simply forgotten! He knew there was a match today and had prepared with care, but his


    practice of the Restoration Mantra had made him lose track of time. By the time he opened his


    eyes, it was nearly mid-morning. Grabbing a pair of dry bread rolls and some pickled vegetables, he


    hurried towards the site.


    As he neared the mountaintop, he finished his simple meal and noticed a small waterfall nearby. He


    dashed over, quenched his thirst with the cool water, and washed his face. The Protégés watching


    from the summit shook their heads in disbelief. What was thisd doing? Didn''t he realize that today


    could determine his fate? Shouldn''t he take this more seriously?


    "Are you alright?" Carlys was the first to approach him, concerned that vin might be under some


    emotional strain.


    "I''m fine, just lost track of time," vin said with a smile, making his way through the crowd to the


    dueling tform, nodding at Celesse before addressing Galos, "My apologies for the wait."


    "Are you mocking me?" Galos sneered, his lips twisting in a cold smile. He valued his reputation


    highly, and as the day''s supposed star, vin had left him to stand foolishly waiting for an hour and


    a half.


    "We never set an exact time, did we? If you were in such a hurry to show off, suit yourself." vin


    cocked his head and loosened up his shoulders, warming up his muscles.


    "Don''t say I didn''t offer you a friendly face when you find yourself treated without courtesy," Galos''


    expression darkened with offense. How dare vin, a mere apprentice, show such insolence to an


    Elite Protégé?


    vin clenched his fists, assuming the starting stance of the Goliath Force, and challenged Galos,


    "Let''s begin. Beware my fists; they may not wound you gravely, but they''ll do more than tickle."


    Suddenly, a gasp rose from the crowd. "A Novice Mage at Stage V? Wasn''t vin at Stage III?"


    The surprised voice belonged to Niks, who had been closely observing vin. Something


    seemed off to him until vin raised his aura, and only then did Niks realize that this was not the


    presence of a Stage III Novice Mage but that of a firmly established Stage V.


    A month ago, vin was indeed at Stage III, and breaking through to Stage IV in such a time would


    be a feat, let alone reaching Stage V.


    "Stage V? It''s true," the arena erupted in astonished murmurs.


    "You''re at Stage V?" Galos scrutinized vin carefully.


    "Just broke through," vin admitted.


    "Not bad, now that''s more like it." Galos quicklyposed himself, feeling intrigued. If vin were


    merely at Stage III or Stage IV, it would hardly stir his spirit. Now, his interest was piqued. Although


    Stage V was still a jokepared to his own Stage VII, it at least promised some entertainment.


    Carlys prepared a burning candle. "Is everyone ready? When do we start?"


    "Let''s start now," Galos moved towards vin, tired of waiting and talking, ready to begin the fight.


    "Ready whenever you are," vin took up his starting stance for the Goliath Force.


    "I hear you''ve been practicing the Goliath Force. How far have you progressed?" Galos taunted, his


    steps slow and casual, and his gaze locked on vin. His aura intensified, his battle spirit soared,


    and it seemed as if his world contained only vin.


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    The stage was set, and the arena''s air thickened with tension as the great battle was about to ignite.