Chapter Thirty-One: Research

The likelihood is high. Back then, the grand magi of the royal palace studied the matter for a long time, and one thing was certain: Lady White was definitely not the embodiment of Elune. At that time, we speculated that the Blue Child and Lady White were energy devices left by the Titans, designed to detect and guide the chaotic void energies surrounding Azeroth. They were also likely connected to the Well of Eternity at the heart of Azeroth.

Consider the function of the Well of Eternity: it draws natural and arcane energy from the Twisting Nether, manipulating the chaotic energies of the void. Most likely, these are auxiliary devices established by the Titans for Azeroth. Allen voiced his conjecture, and though it was only a hypothesis, it was logical enough that Patrick nodded in agreement.

Relying on memories from his previous life, Patrick recalled a chapter of Kalecgos, once a weakling in battle, rising to become the Blue Dragon Aspect. Azeroth’s twin moons referred to a unique period known as the Embrace of the Twin Moons, during which a special ritual was performed—the moment when Azeroth’s two moons overlapped and generated extraordinary energy.

Through this ritual, Kalecgos obtained the power of the guardian dragon, formally succeeding the deceased Malygos as the Aspect. It was also during a conjunction of the twin moons that the Titans created the five-colored dragon Aspects. This seemed to suggest that the twin-moon system was the main reason for the ebb and flow of arcane tides on Azeroth; when the moons converged, the tide of magic reached its zenith—a moment most coveted by every arcanist.

Patrick remembered that, back on Earth, tides were a natural phenomenon along the coast, referring to the periodic movement of seawater caused mainly by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. The vertical rise and fall of the sea’s surface was called the tide, while the horizontal movement of seawater was called the tidal current.

Could it be that the twin moons, through some unknown gravitational force or medium, controlled the energies of Azeroth? When the two moons overlapped, this gravitational force reached its peak, causing the arcane and natural energies on Azeroth to swell and converge under the influence of the twin moons.

“Just now, when casting the spell to tear open space, I projected my own spirit into the outer realms. It allowed me to realize that the core of Conjuration magic lies in the manifestation of willpower: calling, creating, summoning, teleporting, even healing and resurrection—all are tangible expressions of the Conjuration school’s magic.”

Patrick raised an eyebrow. In his previous life, the storylines were flooded with warnings about arcane energy disrupting the world’s stability, with claims that it would attract the Burning Legion, and only druids who embraced nature were on the righteous path. Now, seeing how Conjuration worked, Patrick began to doubt the arcane arts. After all, arbitrarily rending the fabric of space truly could cause instability and create loopholes for the demons of the Burning Legion to exploit.

“Each school of arcane magic describes similar effects achievable by constructing spells in analogous ways, but spells of the Conjuration school—such as tearing space or summoning extraplanar beings—require vast amounts of mana, weakening the foundation of material energy to accomplish their effects. Is this not akin to stealing from the material world to selfishly empower oneself?”

After hearing Patrick’s musings, Allen paused before replying, “You have only grasped part of the truth. The Well of Eternity is the source of all energy in Azeroth. It supplies arcane and natural energy to this world, sustains the magical defense networks and other Titan constructs, and hastens the pace of the world’s evolution. Whether arcane or nature, both are pure, neutral energies tending toward order.”

“That’s why, even after Sargeras fell and was corrupted by fel magic, he could still draw upon the Well of Eternity’s power for himself. This is why Sargeras coveted the Well so fiercely. As for the idea of stealing from the material world to empower oneself—don’t humans do the same with mining and metallurgy? In a sense, arcanists, druids, and priests all merely use their will to harness energy. Arcane magic is not theft from the material world, but rather brings forth a new, vibrant, creative force.”

“Though energies differ in intensity, they are not separated by type. Both arcane and natural energies tend toward order, while fel belongs to chaos. But if the high elves have always used arcane energy, how did they fall from grace?”

Allen offered a wry smile. “Queen Azshara was deceived by Sargeras, worshipping him as the highest Titan, which led to the Burning Legion’s invasion of Azeroth. Later, when Azshara realized the truth, it was already too late. Arcane study began with the highborne elves, then was passed to humans by Quel’Thalas. For more than six thousand years, Quel’Thalas stood firm—even when the Sunwell was corrupted, no demon ever crossed the arcane net to enter Azeroth. But what about humans?”

“For thousands of years, demons have repeatedly entered Azeroth, and humans were forced to appoint a so-called Guardian to watch over them in secret. But could a single Guardian truly take responsibility for all the arcane energy siphoned from the magical network? During the War of the Ancients, countless demigods and dragons gave their lives to drive the Burning Legion out of Azeroth—do you really think that now, a lone Guardian would suffice?”

This left Patrick speechless. But one thing was clear: the elves’ study of arcane magic was not in itself a mistake.

Right and wrong, the twists and turns—it was impossible to say for certain. After a short rest to recover his spirit, Patrick prepared to continue experimenting with Conjuration spells. Any depletion of mana could be quickly restored through meditation and absorption of the surrounding arcane energy, and the mana thus gained, blended with power from the Sunwell, would not lead to direct addiction.

Thank the Sunwell, and thank Dath’remar Sunstrider.

In his spare time, Patrick began copying down his knowledge from books such as “Runic Lexicon,” “Alchemy,” and “Intermediate Symbology.” With Allen granting him immense mental strength, transcription was no difficulty—only a matter of time.

Entering the alchemy workshop, Patrick, heir to an alchemical family, maintained the daily practice of honing his skills. He heated mana and healing potions, then used arcane energy to dissolve Blindweed and Sungrass, purifying both herbs. Mixing the resulting arcane dust into the original mana and healing potions, he created a new concoction, with efficacy surpassing that of standard mana and healing draughts—an excellent result.

Patrick decided to record this as a new formula in the field of alchemy and place it in the library, thereby enriching the collection of the Mage Tower.