The Legendary Mage novel Chapter 74

Alavin was confused and uncertain of the voice's intentions, whether good or evil. He calmly replied, "The one you speak of must be my mentor!"

"Where is he? Let me see him!" The voice demanded.

"He had to leave on urgent business."

"Find him for me, and I shall reward you handsomely."

"Who are you, really? And why are you inside me?" Alavin was now certain that the voice was that of the entity that had sprung from the stone and had somehow taken refuge inside his very body.

The voice suddenly went silent, and the Shadowbringer grew still as well.

"What are you doing? Please, leave my body first. The person you seek is not here."

Alavin felt uneasy; having something strange inside him was a discomfort anyone would feel.

After a long silence, the voice spoke again, "At the age of fifteen, you’ve only reached Novice Mage Stage VI. With such mediocre talent, how do you qualify to become his Protégé? How did you get Shadowbringer, and who are you?"

The voice was weak, but it no longer carried the initial respect, turning instead sharp and severe.

"Does he need your permission to choose his Protégés?"

"Who is he? What faction does he belong to? What are his deeds? His current age! Do you know any of this?" the voice interrogated in rapid succession.

"I don’t know," Alavin flatly refused.

"You don’t know? Then how did you come by Shadowbringer!"

"I have not only Shadowbringer but also the Grand Arcanum of the Blade and the Dawnedge Blade. I have plenty of treasures."

"Who are you, really?"

"Why does it matter to you who I am? If you're not pleased, then try to defeat me!" Alavin feigned arrogance, though his heart raced with anxiety; this peculiar being seemed to have a foul temper.

The voice fell into a long silence, then let out a weak roar. Shadowbringer vibrated intensely, black mist enveloping the space and conjuring a tempest of energy, causing Alavin's very essence to churn.

It was hatred that fueled it!

The voice had sensed the presence of Shadowbringer and thought the legendary figure it sought was nearby. Given the amicable relations between their groups, it had summoned all its energy, struggling at great cost.

To escape the Rune of Abandonment Lock, it had exhausted its remaining strength and was now extremely weakened. It had thought that once free, it could seek the help of Shadowbringer's owner, and return to the Warrior Tribe, to Celestial Domain. But were all its efforts for naught?