Chapter Nineteen: Before the Battle

Understanding, studying, mastering, and applying arcane magic has always been such a tedious and monotonous endeavor.

“Allen, can you give me the fastest way to improve right now?”

[The sixth circle is merely the beginning of arcane study. Just as it was ten thousand years ago, mages who reach the fifth circle begin to learn teleportation. Yet, because fifth-circle mages cannot accurately calculate spatial curvature or the rifts within space, they generally do not dare to use it directly.

Once you enter the sixth circle, you begin to truly understand space, to comprehend the world as it truly is. Mastery over space is the core of the school of conjuration, and the most direct manifestation of arcane philosophy. Here lies the memory of ancient times; take a look.]

With that, Allen sent a surge of memories.

In ancient times, the Kaldorei mages used the power of the Well of Eternity to probe the mysteries of space, even venturing into dimensions beyond their own. Arcane power sparkled in the palm, five sigils spun around a Grand Mage of the Kaldorei, tearing open the space at one end with arcane force, a rift appeared at the other, and arcane energy bridged the gap, accomplishing spatial transmission.

There were also those who used the Well of Eternity to establish a powerful energy field, decomposing space at one end and reconstructing it at the other, thus achieving stable spatial jumps.

Kaldorei mages glowed with arcane white light, even their hair radiated arcane energy, for spatial magic consumed immense power.

Every rune was the crystallization of ancient wisdom, every magical mark a legacy of arcane civilization.

Spirit fused with arcane, and spirit influenced arcane.

To see the world through arcane, to comprehend truth through arcane, these were the ideals of all arcanists.

Patrick felt the arcane particles flowing from the Sunwell, arcane energy dancing and rejoicing. Every mage who reached the sixth circle could sense the reality hidden beneath the surface of space.

Arcane could slice through space; arcane could mirror space. Divine power was the driving force behind spatial magic—if one's strength faltered, the mind would collapse, and be consumed by magic; if one's power was sufficient but control uneven, spatial channels would destabilize, and spells could easily become dangerous.

The memories streamed endlessly, knowledge drew Patrick in. Despite his mental fatigue, he continued to absorb Allen’s teachings—a crystallization of high elven wisdom from ten thousand years past.

[Arcane can alter space—how to change it, how to master it, you must learn for yourself.]

Arcane energy could shift into many forms: the four elemental shapes of wind, fire, water, and earth. Patrick recalled how Astalor the Bloodsworn had conducted arcane corrosion experiments. Astalor the Bloodsworn, using pure Holy Light energy extracted from a captured naaru, corrupted it with arcane to transform it into an arcane-like energy.

When Liadrin used her body as a vessel to absorb this arcane-infused Holy Light, with spells and magical runes to aid her, she succeeded in wielding the power of the Holy Light as a paladin would.

Although Azeroth’s Holy Light was rooted in faith and counted as divine magic, druids, paladins, mages, and priests in his previous life all shared the same mana bar.

Arcane also emitted light, though its mimicry lacked the overwhelming brilliance of the Holy Light; Patrick believed that energy itself had ranks.

The highest-ranked energies were time, space, and soul; first-tier energies included arcane, nature, and fel; second-tier energies were the four elements, Holy Light, and shadow.

Patrick formally used arcane mimicry to simulate higher-tier energies with lower-tier ones, and the arcane particles previously employed were in fact the physical effects of concentrated energy, producing even more advanced energy phenomena.

As the visions faded, a wave of exhaustion swept over him, and Patrick nearly collapsed from his desk.

“So tired… it feels just like those late-night cultivation sessions in my previous life—mentally drained and confused.” Allen’s control was excellent; though the knowledge was delivered in a flood, it was not forced upon him all at once.

Patrick quietly sipped a mental potion, sitting in his chair to recover.

A nearby mage apprentice saw him slumped in his seat, hurried over to check on him, then ran off to find Idonis.

Soon, Idonis arrived and inquired carefully, “Patrick, you’re finally awake.”

“What? I just read for a bit.”

Idonis gave a bitter smile. “You sat here unmoving for at least a week. If we hadn’t confirmed you were in deep meditation and unharmed, we would have sent you to Silvermoon for treatment.”

The revelation startled Patrick. He had thought he merely watched a short video, nothing serious, but it turned out so much time had passed—he realized he’d overestimated Allen’s integrity.

That one was either mocking him in his mind or leading him into trouble.

[How did I harm you? Weren’t you enjoying your studies?]

“I only wanted to see it once—who knew so much time would pass?”

[You never asked how long it would take, did you? Is that my fault?]

“…Fine, you win.”

Patrick continued his studies in the sanctuary. During his break, he sent a letter home, updating his family on his recent situation. Since he hadn’t gone to Dalaran as planned, it was a way to assure his parents and share the news that he had entered the sixth circle—he could already picture their joy.

Alleria and Hawkesbill were still training their troops, now joined by Baron Sanguinar, with Valeera accompanying them. Together, they watched Lanaea Sanguinar practice.

Not far away, Lanaea’s figure moved beside the straw man—ambush, maneuvering attacks, slicing, shadow strike, then eviscerate—a textbook rogue assault, evoking nostalgia.

Spotting Patrick, they paused and nodded in greeting.

“Good day, Patrick.”

“I’m just out for a stroll, didn’t mean to interrupt your training.”

Patrick noticed many ranger soldiers’ weapons had only a faint magical shimmer, likely basic gear. Lanaea and Valeera’s weapons carried just a hint of magical light, while Alleria’s longbow on her back radiated blinding brilliance.

“How are the preparations for the campaign?” Patrick asked.

“We’re only waiting on the last batch of scouts; then we’ll draft the battle plan. The other mages are making enchanted arrowheads and alchemical potions for emergencies.”

“This time, we’re determined to succeed. If we can eliminate the trolls of the Forest of Life in one stroke, it will be our greatest achievement.”

Mental potions, vitality potions, mana potions, emergency bandages, magical food, spell components, bows, daggers, and other supplies were being delivered continuously; the departure for battle was drawing ever closer.