The Legendary Mage novel Chapter 14

To live meant to stand. To stand meant to show resolve.

Come midday, a fine misty rain began to fall.

Returning to the storeroom, Alavin prepared his meal, greeted the elder, grabbed some food, and secluded himself in the hills behind the warehouse. There, amidst the jutting rocks and entangled ancient trees—places unnoticed and unvisited by most—he found his secret training ground. Here, his smile was replaced by a grim seriousness.

From noon to the deep of night, Alavin absorbed the Restoration Aether of the world around him, rejuvenating his spirit and easing his wounds. Perhaps it was because he had begun the second phase of the Restoration Mantra, but his recovery was notably quicker this time.

"Novice Mage Stage VI is clearly beyond my current reach. Strength, I need more strength," he murmured.

Alavin gently touched the palm-shaped scar on his chest, knowing full healing would take more time. He was too weak; he had to become stronger, much stronger.

After years of trials, he had finally achieved his dream of becoming a Novice Mage. It was time to strive for a breakthrough, to work harder than ever before.

"Senior Protégé! Elite Protégé! Golden Protégé!"

Alavin recited the ranks of the Cobalt Strike in his mind. With each rank came different privileges and influence. Becoming a Golden Protégé would nearly grant him the status of an Elder. Once merely an Apprentice, he couldn't dare to dream of status, but now, as a Novice Mage, his primary goal was to shed his Freshman Protégé identity. Only with a higher status could he access more Combat Magic, grow stronger faster, and perhaps secure greater benefits for the people of Stormcast.

"For myself, for my kin, and for Stormcast," Alavin leaped up, his mind was calm and focused, his feet were positioned slowly, and his hands flexed. He began a mysterious opening stance.

Who would say he knew no Combat Magic? This was the opening stance of “Goliath Force,” a Combat Magic mastered by Brunn, an Elite Protégé of Cobalt Strike.

The strict rules of the Cobalt Strike stated that Combat Magic must never be taught privately. Any Protégé borrowing Combat Magic scrolls from the Sanctum of Mystical Scrolls had to register and mark the return date. Even Elders teaching Combat Magic to Protégés had to be formally recorded.

Alavin had never officially studied any Combat Magic scrolls. Instead, he had covertly learned by observing Brunn's every battle and trial, memorizing each move, and studying Brunn's exterior to understand the interior. After years of relentless practice and refinement, Alavin had, in effect, created his own variant of Goliath Force.

This martial technique could amplify a person's explosive power by up to five times. Its potency was formidable against armor. However, it demanded an extremely resilient physique, requiring one's body to be as strong as iron and bone to wield without self-injury.

Alavin had secretly learned many Combat Magics, like Elite Protégé Fradaley's Wind-Split Sword, Elite Protégé Lartel's Stormsky Spear, and Elite Protégé Maxarcush's Hexaforce Fist. Yet, Alavin had decided to focus solely on mastering the Goliath Force.

His constitution was unique, and after years of tempering with the Restoration Mantra, he far surpassed others, easily harnessing the Goliath Force that many dared not attempt.

Goliath Force was divided into five phases, and Alavin had deciphered the first three. The final two were elusive, too profound to master. But the first three were enough to unleash his full potential.

"First phase, Iron-clad Tiger!" Alavin dashed through the woods, agile and fierce, his fist thundering into a giant tree.

Crack! The ancient tree, wide enough to be embraced by two men, trembled violently. A dark hole was now punched through by Alavin's Goliath Force.

At his peak, Alavin's punch weighed over six hundred pounds; this blow surely exceeded a thousand.