Chapter 132


    She made no effort to conceal her youthful, vibrant body, so tantalizing it could make one''s nose


    bleed.


    Any person would struggle to remainposed upon encountering such a sight outside their


    window. However, her eyes were a bloody red, rendering her already sultry demeanor into


    something more sinister.


    vin couldn''t shake a sense of alertness as he felt a tangible, clear sense of danger emanating


    from the maiden before him.


    “Are you…” Her rosy lips curved ever so slightly, forming a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile, as she


    appraised vin.


    “You’re a Protégé?” vin furrowed his brow.


    The girl let out a light, melodic whistle, stirring the little fox thaty on vin’s leg.


    The creature seemed reluctant. Its head tilted as it looked out the window at the girl.


    With a lightugh, the girl waved her delicate fingers. The little fox, against its wishes, got up,


    leaped onto the window sill, and nced back at vin before jumping onto the girl’s shoulder. She


    gently tapped the fox’s moist nose and walked off into the moonlit night with it.


    Mari, who lived in the small courtyard next to vin’s, was about to close her window when she


    caught sight of a fiery, statuesque silhouette emerging from vin’s yard. The girl’s long, straight


    legs shimmered beneath the nearly transparent fabric of her dress, and her slender, pale arms


    glowed faintly in the moonlight, an enticing vision of grace.


    The girl paused at the gate and turned her head to look at Mari’s room. Her lips curved into a


    yful smile, she winked with her left eye, and with a twist of her supple waist, she walked away,


    her steps enchanting.


    Mari watched her leave, then turned to look at vin’s courtyard.


    vin was at the window, chin in hand, deep in thought. Who was that girl? The blood-red eyes


    were unforgettable.


    Could she be an Protégé? If vin were to face such an adversary, he was not sure he could


    prevail.


    “You seem to have a way of attracting women,” Mari’s cool voice drifted over from the adjacent


    yard.


    vin looked over. “Didn’t the Hidden Essence Protégé invite you out? Why didn’t you go?”


    “Stay away from that woman.” Mari moved to close the window.


    “Hey!!” vin called out.


    “Speak.”


    “Got anything to eat? I’m starved.”


    Silence hung in Mari’s room for a while before a faint voice replied, “Come and get it.”


    vin hopped into Mari’s yard and was about to knock on the window when a handkerchief was


    passed out to him, inside were several pastries.


    Did all maidens fancy baking pastries? vin sniffed them, detecting a floral scent.


    “Whye to The sh of Eight Orders?” Mari’s voice, cool and detached, came from the


    room.


    Many had asked vin this question on his journey, but he had never answered directly.


    Sitting on a stone bench in her courtyard, vin tasted the pastries and said casually, “My reasons


    for being here are different from yours. You seek fame; I fight for my life.”


    “For the Stormcast?”


    “Yes, it’s been eight, no, eight and a half years. It’s time for some answers.”


    “Couldn’t you wait another two years? With your potential, you might be an Advanced Mage in


    two years and have a better chance at the championship.”


    “Two years… two years…” vin mused as he ate, a faint smile on his lips. “Do you really think I


    can survive another two years in Cobalt Strike? Would they let me grow stronger?”


    Mari fell silent. His casual words had somehow touched her, but she quickly regained her


    composure. “There’s always a way to survive, certainly better than rushing into the championship


    now.”


    “How can you be so sure I won’t ce?”


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    “Wake up. The Eight Orders Protégés are strong, and you’re too conspicuous. You won’tst two


    rounds.”


    “We’ll see about that.” vin finished the pastries quickly; they tasted quite good. “Got any more?”


    His question was met with silence.


    vin wiped his mouth and handed back the handkerchief. “Thanks!”


    “You’ve used it; keep it,” Mari said, a hint of her fastidiousness showing.


    “Alright then.” vin stuffed it into his pocket, ready to leave.


    “You…”


    “Hmm?”


    “If one day, you fight for your freedom and seed, would you leave Cobalt Strike?”


    vin just smiled, did not reply, and vaulted back into his own yard.