Battle Mage: The Lost King (Tales of Alus) Read Online Free Page A

and two ponds, which were also hundreds of feet from the man when he cast the spell. His effort had not only disrupted the final match, but saved Annalicia who had been in dire straights unseen by the crowd and wizards intended to keep the competitors safe. It had succeeded also thanks to Magnus’s quick thinking and assistance, so at least the champion had saving his fellow competitor on his list of achievements.
    Giving a fair bow of his body and head, a largely unpracticed maneuver from a wizard trained so far from the capitol, Magnus received his golden chain with fire emblem also made from gold. A ring laced with diamond and ruby chips was in the box as well. If he didn’t wish to wear a chain around his neck, a wizard could still easily work his spells with a ring and the prize was definitely something that caught Magnus’s eye.
    The wizard’s acceptance speech was another interesting piece of work as Magnus proceeded thanking the king and his teachers that had helped him perfect his art. That was it aside from a few pats to his own back and the rest of Sebastian’s table began to frown.
    “He certainly seems to be giving credit for his success to his teachers, which is fair enough, but shouldn’t he have said something about Sebastian driving him to it?” Serrena complained as she lay her head on her hand braced by an elbow on the table. Turning her head as if on a swivel, her gaze touched on most, but ended on the mage. Lifting her head as her eyes narrowed in annoyance, the wizard added, “If he hadn’t been practicing battle mage casting, we all know he would never have won this. How about acknowledging those teachers?”
    Shaking his head, Sebastian patted the air miming that the girl keep her seat as Magnus continued to enjoy his moment in the sun. With the king and queen in attendance and so many there to applaud his win, letting the girl go off half cocked wouldn’t do anyone any favors. “He still won it fair and square. Let him have his moment. It doesn’t really matter what prompted Magnus to study and train the way he did. It only matters that he won and gets recognition for White Hall.”
    Jaw half falling open, Serrena appeared dumbfounded by his meekness. Olan was the first to voice what she and Frell appeared ready to loudly dispute, “But you’ve beaten him twice. You’ve proven that a well trained battle mage can beat a wizard, even this champion.” He nearly scoffed at the word champion, but Sebastian refused to let things get out of hand.
    “It’s was a grueling tournament and Magnus managed to win, just let the matter drop, guys. If it doesn’t matter to me, then it shouldn’t matter to you either,” the mage stated as he lifted his glass of wine to his lips. He really didn’t care about the recognition. Even going up to receive his trophy for making it to his level was more than the quiet young man really had wanted, but he also knew that such things were expected of him. On the other hand, this was more like the Magnus he had known for the last few years.
    Luckily, they had a new distraction as Magnus left the floor to return to his table of friends and adoring fans.
    “I hope that you aren’t angry that it wasn’t you up there,” a familiar voice queried with his statement.
    Turning with a smile to see his friend Darius, the High Wizard of Eirdhen, Sebastian quickly shook his head. “No, winning was never really the goal. I was just here to prove that battle mages could be more than just  swordsmen with a little bit of magic. Yes, I could have hoped to go out from a loss because someone was better than I rather than having my body give out, but I suppose that I am also undefeated,” he finished with a chuckle.
    The wizard wasn’t alone as a gentle touch from a delicate hand was laid upon his left shoulder. It was the side opposite Yara, he also noted.
    “I also wished to thank you for saving me during my match, master mage,” the musical voice of the wizard