Chapter 168


    Ziros muttered, "Why do I suddenly feel like this woman... resembles vin so much?"


    Nelsor sighed, "They''re cut from the same cloth!"


    The distant crowd of onlookers, however, was thrilled by the spectacle, cheering for more.


    After some discussion, the Organizations’ Commanders bestowed upon E the title—Blood Elf!


    And so, the grand tournament of The sh of Eight Orders had concluded, and the Top 5 Protégés


    had been named. Their titles echoed through the Nortnds.


    The Ster Precepts’ ''Twilight Guardian,'' Darron.


    Bloodlore’s ''Blood Elf,'' E.


    The Earthbound Spirits’ ''Relentless Warhawk,'' Ond.


    The Ster Precepts’ ''Violet me,’ Jackar.


    Cobalt Strike’s, ''Shadowlord''s Messenger,'' vin.


    The elite five had been proimed, and from this day forth, their names would be heralded across


    the Nortnds.


    In every organization, Protégés apuded and cheered, and yet many remained in silence.


    Was it over? The four tumultuous days had passed so swiftly! Over seventy fierce battles had been


    fought, taking down so many strong fighters without mercy or opportunity. Defeat meant the end.


    It was that brutal!


    This was what the Eight Orders intended with the tournament, to teach these self-proimed


    geniuses that reigning supreme within their own organization did not guarantee fame in the Eight


    Orders, to humble their pride, and to them see themselves clearly. When they returned to their


    organizations, they would practice diligently and grow earnestly.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "It''s over..." Roald''s feelings wereplex. His long-awaited chance for glory had slipped away. He


    felt like a mere background, noticed by the organizations before the contest butcking any


    standout performance during it.


    “I am Cobalt Strike''s Golden Protégé, a peer to the prodigious Celesse, and the captain of this


    year''s Cobalt Strike team. Why has ite to this? Are the other organization''s Protégés too


    strong, or am I too weak?” Roald thought.


    Semar, Felis, and others had mixed emotions as they looked up to the top four and thought of


    vin, staying silent.


    Were they feeling slighted? Honestly, a bit. Not by the top four, but by vin.


    Why vin? It could have been anyone else, but why him?


    ...


    In the manor, Niks and Balder tended to the wounds of vin and Cedrick. They didn’t hurry to


    leave, choosing instead to stay and keep the twopany.


    Balder sat in a wicker chair in the room, gauging the time. "It must be about over, right? I wonder


    who made it to the top five this year."


    Mari watched the slumbering vin in silence.


    "Mari, you should rest. I''m here," offered Balder with a joyous expression, always cheerful.


    "Did the Commander visit yesterday?"


    "Yes, he came to see vin."


    "What did they talk about?"


    "How could I dare eavesdrop on the Commander''s conversation? Hehe, I wouldn''t dare."


    "How will the Mollen family treat vin now?" Mari never expected vin to achieve such


    results, but now that the top five were named, his fame would rise across the Nortnds, and even


    the Five Lords would take note. How would Cobalt Strike treat vin? And how would the Mollen


    family value him?


    "If I may be so bold, Mari, why do you seem quite concerned about vin? I mean no offense,


    just curious."


    "He holds a secret of Cobalt Strike." Mari was certain now that vin must have struck a deal


    with the Chained Spirit; otherwise, he could not have achieved such a breakthrough or shown such


    potent lethality. She worried that in his eagerness to grow, vin had lost himself or fallen under the


    Spirit''s control. Or perhaps vin harbored resentment towards Cobalt Strike, and the Chained


    Spirit held a grudge, and both their interests aligned in agreement.


    She once promised her mentor to ensure the safety of the Chained Spirit, making sure it would not


    harm Cobalt Strike. However, she never imagined vin''s growth to be so rapid, to the point where


    he might slip from their control. This had caught her off guard, and she was unsure of how to report


    to her master—should she inform him immediately or keep it hidden?


    With an endearing smile, Balder reassured, "Since it''s a secret, I won''t pry. But don''t worry. vin


    and I are friends, purely."


    "A piece of advice for you. The Mollen family''s investment in mages is not misguided, but best steer


    clear of organizational feuds. It''s a game you can''t afford to y."


    "Thank you for your counsel. I''ll take it to heart."


    "Take good care of vin."


    "Rest assured. I''m here," said Balder, seeing Mari out and softly closing the door behind her.


    vin''s eyes opened, gaze unfocused as he stared upwards.


    "Need a potion?" Balder presented a jade vial filled with several precious Magical Remedies.


    "Thank you," whispered vin.


    Balder''s smile was warm and friendly. "What are friends for? No need for thanks. I only help you to


    enter the tournament; all the glory is yours alone."


    "Do I now have enough esteem for the Mollen family to take notice?"


    "Of course!"


    "Then help me with one more thing."


    "Name it, and if it''s within my power, it''s done."


    vin''s eyes sharpened. "Loan me five hundred assassins!"


    "Ah?" Balder''s mouth hung open, taken aback.