Dalaran

After stepping through the portal opened by Mage Romance, Tyrel Sunstrider arrived at Prince Kael'thas's Mage Tower in Dalaran. The spacious circular chamber was neatly arranged with all manner of rare magical materials that even Archmages coveted.

Several enormous magic crystals served merely as light sources for the room, while many epic weapons were casually stuck around as training tools.

More than anything inside the Mage Tower, Tyrel Sunstrider's gaze settled on his elder brother, Kael'thas Sunstrider, who was refined, handsome, and carried a roguish charm.

"Brother." Tyrel greeted him politely, only to be suddenly embraced by Prince Kael'thas, who appeared equally gentle and elegant to outsiders.

"Tyrel, why are you still holding yourself back in front of me? Do I not know your bratty nature? Anyone who underestimates you is in for a bad time." Tyrel Sunstrider was a man of extremes. He was humble before those he respected, indifferent toward those he disliked, mischievous around friends, and utterly ruthless toward enemies.

Facing the brother who understood him best, Tyrel laughed freely as well. He wrapped his arms around his brother and tried to squeeze him with the strength of a Paladin.

However, Kael'thas Sunstrider was not only a powerful Mage. He also had another identity: a formidable swordsman who kept his abilities well hidden. His strength far surpassed Tyrel Sunstrider's at present.

Hearing his bones creak, Tyrel hurriedly begged for mercy. "I was wrong, Brother. I really overestimated my own strength. As expected, I'm still far behind you."

Hearing his younger brother surrender, Prince Kael'thas stopped applying force and said proudly, "Welcome to my other home, my brother."

In the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas, no matter how hard Prince Kael'thas worked, aside from his strength, everything else seemed not to have been earned by him, but bestowed upon him at birth.

Yet in Dalaran, everything here had been won through Prince Kael'thas's own efforts. Even though the Mage Tower exclusive to the Six Council of Kirin Tor could not compare to Sunfury Spire at all, its careful decorations had been acquired through Prince Kael'thas's own struggle.

Every member of Dalaran, whether human, High Elf, or gnome, respectfully addressed Kael'thas Sunstrider as Archmage rather than Prince of the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas. What everyone recognized was the Archmage seat Prince Kael'thas had earned through his own merits, not the princely status he had been born with.

The two princes of the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas came to the Mage Tower's terrace. Looking down at Dalaran's purple rooftops and marble buildings, Prince Kael'thas told his younger brother Tyrel Sunstrider everything that had happened in Dalaran over the years, and how he had risen step by step through his own efforts to become a member of Dalaran's Six Council of Kirin Tor.

One spoke happily while the other listened patiently. Sometimes, merely having someone listen could bring immense comfort. Because of his status, Prince Kael'thas could not speak of these things to those around him. Only before his younger brother could he do so.

Time passed swiftly, and night gradually enveloped Dalaran. Violet crystals powered by Arcane Energy lit up, illuminating the entire city. That was likely why Dalaran was known as the Violet Citadel.

"By the way, Brother, Dalaran doesn't have the Sunwell, so what is the source of magic that sustains this city?" Looking at the dazzling Violet Citadel, Tyrel Sunstrider suddenly thought of this question.

Unlike the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas, which possessed the Sunwell and nearly limitless magical energy, Dalaran had no Sunwell. Its extravagant use of magic made its source a pressing question.

Hearing Tyrel Sunstrider's question, Kael'thas Sunstrider sighed. "The Arcane Weave. Dalaran directly draws Arcane Energy from the Arcane Weave beneath the Hillsbrad Foothills to supply its needs."

"What?!" Tyrel Sunstrider flew into a rage. Though he had chosen to become a Paladin, as a High Elf, he possessed a deep understanding of the arcane.

Azeroth possessed a complete Arcane Weave. Not only did it contain Arcane Energy, it also formed Azeroth's spatial barrier. If Arcane Energy were drawn recklessly from the Arcane Weave, spatial rifts would form.

What could spatial rifts attract? The High Elves, descended from the High Elves, knew best: demons from the Burning Legion in the Twisting Nether beyond Azeroth.

"Are these humans not afraid of attracting demons? Hasn't the Blue Dragonflight done anything about them?" Tyrel Sunstrider demanded at once.

The Blue Dragonflight were the guardians of Azeroth's Arcane Weave. They maintained and protected it. The Kingdom of Quel'Thalas had extremely close ties with the Blue Dragonflight, whose duty was to ensure that Arcane Magic was not abused.

Kael'thas Sunstrider shook his head and explained, "As early as a thousand years ago, demons had continually entered the Hillsbrad Foothills through spatial rifts. Dalaran sought our aid directly at the time.

Thus, the Tirisfal Council was born. At first, the Tirisfal Council was created to eliminate demons that had invaded Azeroth, but after the guardians of the Tirisfal Council appeared, Dalaran's human Mages became even more reckless.

Even the tragedy of the Second Orc War failed to make these humans recognize this reality. They continued to draw energy from the Arcane Weave without end.

When I came here and witnessed all this, I hoped the Kirin Tor of Dalaran would change their ways. I explained the dangers to Antonidas, but he did not heed my advice.

Dalaran is, after all, a city led by humans. Even as an Archmage of the Six Council of Kirin Tor, they would not listen to my opinion. Without the aid of the many High Elf Mages in Dalaran, tragedy would likely happen again."

Kael'thas Sunstrider also disapproved of Dalaran directly drawing Arcane Energy from the Arcane Weave, but how could a human-led Dalaran possibly heed his advice?

Of the Six Council's seats, only two belonged to High Elves. As for the other High Elf Archmage, Krasus, even Kael'thas Sunstrider did not know his origins. The Kingdom of Quel'Thalas seemed to have no record of his existence. Kael'thas Sunstrider simply assumed that he was a descendant of High Elves who had migrated to live in the human kingdoms. Krasus was not close to the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas.

The Six Council was also a voting body where the minority obeyed the majority. In every vote, Kael'thas Sunstrider's proposals were rejected.

"As for the Blue Dragonflight? Ever since Malygos the Spellweaver descended into madness, the Blue Dragonflight has declined. They can barely look after themselves."