Chapter Sixteen: Super Arcane Technique - Aether Particle

The arcane sphere before Patrick began to swell rapidly, its color shifting from blue to an ochre hue. As torrents of arcane energy surged into it, the sphere gradually shrank, its color deepening to a rich brown. Patrick could now sense the tremendous arcane power about to burst forth from within the orb.

The arcane sphere soared into the sky, radiating a deep golden light, like a miniature sun illuminating the earth. Every elf present turned their gaze toward this celestial body, awed by the immense energy it contained.

“Super Magus Technique—Arcane Singularity!” Patrick cried out the name of the spell.

Suddenly, countless runes were projected from the star-like sphere into the air, with magical patterns floating in midair, and clusters of runes forming as though someone were carving symbols directly into the sky.

Patrick instructed Allen to maintain the flow of mana while he focused all his mental strength on restraining the Arcane Singularity, compressing his will to further shrink the sphere.

All at once, the runes and magical patterns in the air were sucked swiftly into the arcane orb. For an instant, the world seemed to fall silent. The axes hurled by the trolls, flying through the air toward their targets, had their trajectories warped, drawing them inexorably toward the sphere.

Then the trees began to wrench themselves free from the earth, the ground split open, and chunks of soil drifted upward toward the orb. The trolls lifted into the air flailed wildly, their arms and legs thrashing in vain. Helpless, they watched themselves drawn into the arcane sphere, only to fall lifeless a moment later.

In the blink of an eye, the arcane sphere had become a giant ball of earth, like a massive meteorite suspended in the air. Many Amani axe-throwers and berserkers were swept aloft and buried beneath the clods of earth. This enormous Arcane Singularity became a floating tomb for the Amani warriors, swallowing even their rafts and equipment. The overwhelming arcane power radiated in all directions, consuming even the troll priests.

A vast crater yawned on the battlefield below. The entire field seemed to freeze, every gaze fixed upon the Arcane Singularity.

“Is this… is this the greatness of arcane power?” Aurelia was stunned, her whole being shaken.

“…” Hawksbill was utterly speechless, as if struck dumb, his face blank, staring in shock at the Arcane Singularity.

“By the Sunwell, what have I just witnessed?” murmured one ranger.

“Oh, my heavens,” gasped another.

“This is the power of the arcane—this is truly arcane power!” The two mages accompanying them were beside themselves with excitement.

“We need to retreat immediately. Once the trolls recover, it won’t be easy to get away,” Patrick’s weakened voice pulled everyone back to reality.

“Retreat!”

“From here on, it’s up to you.” With those words, Patrick’s vision went dark and he collapsed. As he lost consciousness, control over the Arcane Singularity slipped away, and it plummeted to the ground, throwing the troll army into chaos.

Aurelia took advantage of the disorder to lead her troops in a swift withdrawal. Thanks to the confusion caused by the Arcane Singularity, only a small contingent of trolls managed to pursue them, not enough to hamper the retreat.

Once their scouts reported no pursuers in sight, the company slowed its pace a little, relieved to have escaped from the jaws of death and the encirclement of the trolls.

When the Eastern Sanctum finally came into view, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. Their taut nerves eased at last, and the elves took time to wash, drink, eat, or simply rest and recover from the ordeal.

Within the protective barrier, the environment was always bright and mild, and the elves delighted in the comforts bestowed by the Sunwell.

Having washed and tidied herself, Aurelia returned to the tower at the Eastern Sanctum to prepare her report. This daring incursion into the Forest of Life had thwarted the trolls’ plot to cross the northern river and assault the Farstriders’ dwelling, while also eliminating two troll priests and a hundred troll warriors.

The trolls’ military plans would need to be sent to the Silvermoon Council for a response. Relying solely on the Eastern Sanctum as an outpost would mean losing control over the entire Forest of Life, not to mention being unable to monitor the trolls’ intentions in the woods.

This was essential. In light of the battle’s outcome, Aurelia resolved to urge the council to seize the Forest of Life by force and establish mage towers and defensive fortresses there. Silvermoon City would then have complete dominion over all of Eversong Woods, and the Amani trolls would abandon any hope of invasion.

In her report, Aurelia made special mention of Patrick’s outstanding performance in the campaign. He had shown himself a mage of extraordinary talent, and the victory was a testament to his remarkable leadership and mastery of the arcane.

After setting aside her report, Aurelia made her way to Patrick’s quarters. The room was suffused with the scent of arcane energy radiating from Patrick’s body, and Aurelia’s cheeks flushed slightly—every elf was drawn to the fragrance of the arcane.

She glanced at Patrick, still sleeping peacefully. Originally, she had planned to send him to Silvermoon City for priestly healing, but the priests at the Eastern Sanctum had assured her he was merely exhausted, not wounded. The Light could do nothing for such mental fatigue, so Aurelia had left him to recover at the sanctuary.

For now, only time could heal the severe depletion of both his spirit and the divine power Allen had shared with him.

“I nearly died… I never imagined the Arcane Singularity would cost so much mental strength,” Patrick muttered.

His magical reserves were completely drained, his whole body feeling hollowed out. Thankfully, Allen had served as a powerful reserve battery, but even so, Patrick’s mind felt battered, his head splitting with pain.

[It was you who insisted on using that spell. Your Arcane Singularity is indeed devastating against large groups, but your mastery of the arcane is still far from complete, and you don’t fully control the technique. Besides, the animal god the troll priest invoked was just a spirit projection, nothing more.

If you ever face a true Dragonhawk God or Bear God, they could instantly imprison all arcane energy around you and sever your mental link to the Singularity, rendering your ultimate move useless. The wide-scale spiritual manifestation of a god’s soul is not to be trifled with.] Allen explained.

“So the trolls’ loa gods aren’t as feeble as the stories from my previous life made them out to be?” Patrick asked.

[Before the titans discovered Azeroth, the Tol’vir—the progenitors of the trolls—already existed. They were tall, powerful, agile, and possessed astonishing regenerative abilities, establishing an advanced civilization on Azeroth.

Later, the Old Gods infected Azeroth, transforming a swarm of insects into the Aqir and founding the Azj’Aqir Empire. Soon after, the Zandalar Empire of the trolls engaged in a fierce, protracted war with the Aqir. The trolls ultimately shattered the Azj’Aqir, proving that their voodoo and loa worship were far from primitive. On the contrary, they were strong—strong enough to defeat the armies of the Old Gods.] Allen concluded.

Patrick was left speechless. The trolls’ gods were so formidable, yet the trolls themselves now seemed to be struggling.