Chapter 188


    At that moment, Elder Jaslin entered the Grand Hall of Azure Peak, nced at vin, and took a


    seat opposite him, greeting, “vin.”


    vin looked up. “Elder Jaslin.”


    “In less than a year, you’ve advanced to Novice Mage Stage IX. How did you manage that?” Jaslin,


    nearly forty but still captivating, was the most beautiful among the five female Elders of Cobalt


    Strike. She had an exceptional air about her, and many middle-aged Protégés harbored affection for


    her.


    "Fortune."


    "Is that how you address an Elder?"


    "Do you remember now that I am a Protégé of Cobalt Strike? You didn''t seem to think so in the


    past."


    Jaslin had no interest in bantering and asked directly, "Where is Nysah?"


    "You''re asking the wrong person," vin replied, calm and indifferent.


    "Whether I am or not, you know the answer," she pressed.


    The Elders turned to Jaslin. They were aware that Jaslin’s favored pupil, Nysah, had vanished, but


    few knew why. Today, Jaslin''s words suggested a connection to vin.


    Jaslin looked into vin''s eyes. "Nysah is missing, as is Ogmundr, a Protégé of Botanic Haven.


    The entire foraging squad they were with has disappeared."


    "Having not returned for months, they are likely dead. My condolences, Elder Jaslin."


    "I heard they were tracking you."


    “I was strolling through the nearby woods, and fortune smiled upon me as I stumbled upon a few


    treasures. Whether anyone was tracking me or not, I couldn''t say.”


    "I''ve heard that you have a grudge against Nysah?"


    "Do I? That’s news to me."


    "And I''ve also heard that it was Nysah who arranged for you to join the herbal gathering


    expedition?" Elder Jaslin had been well informed by Tyral, but some matters couldn''t be discussed


    openly, especially not the rumor that Nysah had set out to y vin.


    "Rumors, rumors, who have you been listening to? Elder Jaslin, you mustn''t be so quick to judge


    without knowing the full story."


    Jaslin''s gaze turned icy as she suddenly flung a longsword that nged as it embedded itself in the


    table beside vin.


    It’s the Gold-Veined Bronzesword!


    vin nced at it, his demeanor as calm as ever.


    "This is the Gold-Veined Bronzesword, Ogmundr’s personal weapon. Ogmundr,is dead, and yet the


    Gold-Veined Bronzesword ended up in the hands of a band of mercenaries."


    "It seems you''ve been investigating. Nysah''s spirit must be touched," vin scoffed.


    "Their captain wielded the Combat Magic known as Indigo Viper."


    "I''m not sure I follow your meaning."


    "Somebody used the Gold-Veined Bronzesword to trade for that mercenary captain''s Combat


    Magic, known as the Indigo Viper!"


    The Elders were shaken, and all eyes were on vin. Could it be that vin had in Ogmundr''s


    herbal gathering party? That would be a grave sin!


    vin spoke inly, "I did it."


    "You admit it?" Jaslin''s expression turned frosty.


    "I found a sword on the road, encountered a group of mercenaries, and fancied the captain''s


    Combat Magic enough to trade on a whim. Apologies, I didn''t know it belonged to Ogmundr. Had I


    known... well... I would have traded anyway." vin gave her a cold nce.


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    Bang!! Jaslin mmed her fist on the table, ring at vin. “Do you think being a Golden Protégé


    means you can flout the Organization’s rules?”


    “Am I breaking the Organization’s rules by picking something up? By not recognizing the Gold-


    Veined Bronzesword? You mourn your fallen disciple, but what’s that to me? Don’t pin a crime on


    me without evidence.”


    The Elders’ faces showed their disapproval of this attitude. “vin, you are not yet a Golden


    Protégé, so don''t be too arrogant," Elder Connas coolly reminded.


    "If there''s evidence, I''ll admit my guilt. Without it, don''t bother me, and don''t try to lord your Elder


    status over me. I haven''t bowed in eight years, and I won''t start now." vin suddenly smiled,


    looking straight into Jaslin Elder''s eyes. "I often say, if you can, then kill me. If you can''t, I will never


    bow my head."


    Jaslin was seething with rage, nearly striking vin down in her anger.


    The Elders wore strange expressions, observing vin meaningfully. They had always heard that


    this young man was fierce, resolute, and stubborn. Today, they had seen it firsthand.