Chapter Three: Arcane Mimicry

The path of study for a mage is dull and tedious, day after day immersed in books, searching for the truth of the arcane. Patrick had made some progress in the study of runes, successfully mastering three rune combinations: Pages = Tir rune + Ral rune, Enlightenment = Pul rune + Ral rune + Sol rune, and Knowledge = Ort rune + Sol rune. The study of runes significantly enhanced his flexibility in magic and his ability to focus and control spells, proving highly effective for arcane training.

Runes are a combination of arcane circuits and nodes engraved with mysterious symbols, and can be inscribed onto equipment. Unlike other engraved items, individual runes possess attributes that enhance magic, but specific rune combinations—known as "Rune Words"—when inscribed in a certain order and fused together on equipment, can grant even more wondrous powers.

After rune studies, Patrick selected several spells for practice:
Divination: Detect Perception,
Protection: Domain of Gaps,
Abjuration: Spell Counter,
Transmutation: Arcane Enhancement.

He was preparing for advancement. The study and ascension of a mage cannot be achieved simply by reading books or attending lectures. While theory can guide magical research, practice is often the sole measure of truth. Practice, repetition, attunement, mastery—magical experimentation is a process of seeking truth and discarding falsehoods. The knowledge of the arcane is endless; truth and falsehood, right and wrong are distinguished through experiment. Learning the truth of the arcane, even if but a drop in the vast ocean, is enough for every elven arcanist to devote their life to.

Spell Counter and Arcane Enhancement are basic skills for mages in the game. Memories sprouted in his mind; now, unlike before when spells could be cast with a mere press of a button, he needed to construct them with mental power, and the speed of casting depended on his mental strength.

This is what distinguishes divine magic from arcane magic. Divine magic requires the caster to have a specific faith, borrowing power from the object of their worship—the source of divine power—for personal use. For example, Shandris Feathermoon’s prayers to the Moon Goddess (Lunar Orb Cannon) allowed her to defeat all adventurers of Orgrimmar, and even Little Garrosh Hellscream was no match for her; it all comes down to the borrowed power of faith.

Shandris Feathermoon is a night elf with pure faith in Elune, adopted by Tyrande Whisperwind, and has maintained her devotion to Elune since childhood. If the source of divine power refuses to grant her power or if, for some reason, her connection to it is severed, she would be left powerless. Thus, divine spellcasters must show utmost humility and loyalty to their source, investing their faith entirely.

Arcane magic is different. It is innate, or learned by the mage, who acquires the ability to manipulate certain energies, enabling them to cast freely without borrowing power from anyone or anything. Arcane magic varies between frost, fire, and shadow, yet a mage can use arcane spells to manipulate other elemental energies, such as frost and fire.

Patrick had experimented many times, using arcane power to successfully mimic and cast Fireball and Frostbolt. Arcane energy could simulate other spell energies, alter its own state, and achieve the desired effect—this is the arcane mimicry. By simulating fire elements with arcane magic, a blazing fireball appeared around Patrick, spinning and flying.

The fire element conjured by arcane mimicry was indistinguishable from the original Fireball spell. In fact, the arcane-simulated Fireball was superior in control and mastery; pure arcane energy was more stable and controllable than raw elemental force.

As the arcane mimicry experiment continued, Patrick’s mana began to drain, and he felt an intense craving for the energy radiating from the Sunwell—longing for mastery, for fullness of power. His mental strength expanded outward, sensing the world. As a mage of the third circle, his mental power was limited, but Patrick had consciously trained it earlier, and it seemed slightly stronger than that of other mages at his level.

Patrick began once more to gather arcane energy in his palm, forming a sphere of arcane energy—round and full, spinning in his hand. His mental power spread out, causing the energy sphere to float and spin in midair. In his mind, he visualized the essence of fire, feeling the searing heat, the light and warmth it emitted.

The spinning arcane sphere turned dark red, transforming into a fireball radiating light and heat. The movement of flames on its surface was clear to see—an intuitive manifestation of arcane mimicry. The fire, propelled by arcane energy, was rich in arcane power. Patrick carefully maintained the energy, preventing it from dissipating, as the low-humming fireball spun around him.

Patrick continued to gather arcane energy in his palm. If arcane mimicry could fully simulate the fundamental properties of fire elements, then it should also be able to mimic earth and wind, which share the four elemental origins. A second, smaller arcane sphere formed in his hand. The earth element symbolized the resilience of stone and soil, and the pure arcane energy in his palm began to change color—becoming thick and yellow-green, as the earth element replaced the clear, transparent arcane energy. The earth sphere lacked the fiery violence of the fire element, instead embodying the hardness and solidity of earth.

The fire and earth spheres hovered in the air, draining his mana with stubborn persistence. Who knows how much magical and mental energy Prince Kael’thas consumes to keep three spheres spinning above his head all day. Patrick felt his own magic dwindling, his mind growing heavy. Although the Sunwell’s radiance allowed his mana to replenish swiftly, mental fatigue was not so easily restored.

The Sunwell’s presence provided elves with ample magical sustenance. Patrick, too, hastened his absorption of arcane particles from the air to replenish his depleted mana. His absorption grew faster, and he felt as if parched land were meeting a torrent, greedily soaking up the flow—he yearned for a flood of energy to enter his consciousness.

Something seemed amiss. High elves are highly reliant on arcane energy, often to the point of addiction, but today his craving for arcane particles was unusually intense, almost involuntary. His body was forcefully absorbing the arcane particles radiated by the Sunwell, as if an instinct suppressed until now was awakening. The fatigue in his mind was gradually fading, while his mastery of the arcane and his mental strength were increasing. Mana and mental power began to leap and dance within him.

“Is it time to ascend?” Patrick smiled quietly. He sensed a fullness in his mental power, as if he had reached a new level. His mind grew lively and joyful, arcane energy flowed smoothly within his body, returning to a state of saturation—better than before, and his understanding and control of the arcane grew clearer than ever.