Jaina had almost no magical talent. She didn't know how exceptionally gifted mages learned magic; she only learned how to apply it, that is, to take existing spells and use them to increase her Proficiency.
Magic is an exceptionally complex discipline. Humans learned magic from the High Elves, Dalaran became City of Magic, significantly enhancing the combat capabilities of advanced humans, but having little impact on ordinary people.
The study of magic can be broadly divided into two schools of thought. The first is the applied school, which explores ancient spells for experimentation and research on their usage. The second is the theoretical school, which delves into the composition of elements to uncover their patterns, thereby improving existing magic and creating new magic.
Those who applied their skills were relatively more likely to become powerful Archmages and thus held a dominant position in Dalaran. In Dalaran, to gain a voice, one first needed to possess great magical power, and the members of the Dalaran Mages Council were all highly capable.
The theoretical research school, however, has a much longer road ahead. Due to the lack of emphasis on the study of Arcane Theory, since the founding of Dalaran, the theoretical school has never truly taken its first step and is still stumbling along its learning path.
In addition, the Spellstealer Wyrm was popular among the upper class in private, and some nobles without talent also ascended to the position of mage. They could imitate the spells and cast powerful spells, but they knew nothing about the principles of magic.
Therefore, Jaina had no idea how this little girl had mastered her special move.
The mastery and combined use of Arcane, Frost, and Flame magic represents the pinnacle of Elemental Magic application in the Azeroth. Even Medivh's most accomplished apprentice, Khadgar, only reached this level.
Next came the fusion of Elemental Power and Fel, knowledge passed down from the Burning Legion that Medivh would never divulge, not even Medivh's mother knew its secrets.
Jaina was truly terrified; she trembled all over. In her eyes, this little girl was the goddess of magic.
Brush!
The little girl took a simple step and stood directly in front of Jaina.
A mage's Blink is actually predictable; a skilled mage can even intercept the opponent's Blink.
But the little girl's method was completely different from ordinary Blink; it was entirely undetectable.
The little girl smiled sweetly, "Who am I? I am your inner demon!"
The little girl's voice was exactly the same as Jaina's.
Only occasionally, unconsciously, did he reveal an expression of pride and confidence, which was slightly different from Jaina's.
"Inner demons!"
Jaina was filled with unease; she could clearly hear her teeth chattering, and she began to believe it to some extent.
The little girl landed on the sea with Jaina. A silver light flashed in her eyes, and a thick mist covered the sea surface. The seawater beneath their feet Freeze and spread outwards.
The little girl's deep blue eyes scanned Jaina, seemingly seeing right through her. Jaina felt as if she were naked, standing in the middle of the snow-covered landscape, with no secrets to hide.
"Frost, Arcane, Flame, the Whispers of the Old Gods and the power of the Faceless Ones, and you've even stolen a bit of Fel energy and Necromancy, so that's all your magic is?" The little girl flipped her wrist, and two Spellstealer Wyrm appeared in her palm, one with obvious Fel and the other with a little necromancy.
The powerful magic pressured the Spellstealer Wyrm, causing it to tremble with fear and whimper, begging for mercy.
"Every Spellstealer Wyrm represents the fall of a genius, Jaina. If I take away your Spellstealer Wyrm, can you still cast spells? Like a small fireball?"
Jaina's legs buckled, and she prostrated herself on the ice, pleading, "I'm willing to Consecration everything—my Theramore, my people and my army, even my identity, my name, my freedom—just please don't take away my magic."
Power can be earned back, but without strength, Jaina finds it hard to imagine how she could live. Having been a god for so long, she's become accustomed to being high above and in control of mortals' lives and deaths, and she no longer knows how to live a mortal's life.
"I have no interest in any of this. I only want to take one thing: your ties with Kul Tiras should be severed completely. You have caused too much harm to the people of Azeroth. I just hope you can come to your senses."
"Beware the Horde, Jaina!"
The little girl walked into the mist and waved to Jaina.
I'm completely unharmed.
Jaina looked at her hands, feeling the Spellstealer Wyrm within her, and was overjoyed, thankful that she had escaped death.
She never worried about the Horde. In her repeated clashes with Orgrimmar, the hidden power struggles, and her constant arm-wrestling with Thrall, Jaina gained some initiative.
For example, she understood Thrall's purpose, knowing that Thrall would open the Dark Portal, clear away all obstacles, and repair the damaged Outland, the Orcs' homeland.
But this wasn't out of Thrall's nostalgia for his homeland. Thrall was born in Azeroth and had no feelings for Draenor. He did this for a more important purpose: like Jaina, to become stronger and live longer.
As long as Thrall remains the Warchief of the Horde, Jaina is safe.
Even if Thrall were to meet with an accident or step down, the next heir, Dranosh Saurfang., would be under Jaina's control, so she had nothing to worry about.
Jaina waited a long time, making sure the dangerous little girl had left, before daring to step out of the mist and fly back into the air.
On the iceberg not far away stood Robbie and his two companions.
Experiment 335 touched his neck, and with a hint of lingering fear, said to Jaina:
"The Sea's Sovereignty has been taken! A little girl put it in a bottle, one of those ordinary message-in-a-bottle bottles! Oh my god, can anyone tell me what kind of magic this is? What's the principle behind it?"
"Your King, please do not worry, in fact..."
Jaina paused, and only after confirming that nothing was amiss did she cautiously say, "I've defeated her. She escaped back into the sea. The Sea's Sovereignty are yours."
Jaina remained unusually calm; her reputation was extremely important to her, and she couldn't admit that she was powerless to fight back.
With the thick fog obscuring everything, Experiment 335 saw nothing and remained skeptical. Robbie and Vanessa, having seen the truth, said nothing, while Jaina spoke with feigned seriousness:
"N'Zoth's minions are not to be feared. Archmage like myself, once I master their methods, can easily defeat them. I'm sorry, Your King, without the Sea's Sovereignty, I cannot accompany you to admire the beautiful scenery at sea. There is no time to lose; please come with me to Theramore immediately."
Jaina didn't want to linger for a moment. She was eager to escape back to Theramore. With the former Guardian Aegwynn guarding Theramore, that little girl probably wouldn't dare to cause trouble. Jaina had a lot of confidence in the Guardian's strength.
The Portal opened, Jaina was the first to rush in. On the other side of the Portal was the Mage Tower of Theramore. Jaina disregarded etiquette, simply instructing Archmage Tervosh to entertain the King, and immediately went to see the former Guardian, Aegwynn.
Beside the warm fire, Aegwynn gazed at the Flames, teacup in hand, lost in thought, unaware that the tea had long since gone cold.
Jaina recognized the cup; it was a complete tea set, a teapot with five cups, symbolizing Aegwynn's teacher Guardian Skywell, and his five disciples. A thousand years had passed, the past had faded with the wind, and all traces had vanished. Only this tea set remained as a unique memory.
Blessed by the Guardian's magic, this teapot and teacups are harder than steel. Only the gluttony of dozens of generations has left obvious wear marks on them.
Jaina, ever perceptive, noticed that one of Aegwynn's cups was missing.