The dome of Violet Citadel shone with magic in the morning light, and the heels of Jaina·Proudmoore beat a rapid rhythm on the marble floor.
She walked quickly through the corridor of the Parliament, and the portraits of Archmage on both sides of the wall seemed to be looking at her with scrutinizing eyes.
"Teacher Antonidas is in the meditation room." The guarding mage apprentice saluted respectfully, but shrank his neck when he saw Jaina's solemn expression.
The Blue Crystal door of the meditation room slid open silently in front of her. Antonidas was floating in the center of the room, surrounded by rotating Arcane runes. Under the old mage's silver eyebrows, his eyes that could see through the world slowly opened.
"Jaina," his voice was as hoarse as sandpaper, "I feel the restless storm in your heart."
Jaina took a deep breath and spread a magic projection between the two of them. In the image, Quel'Thalas's burning forest and broken Rune Stone were clearly visible.
"Mentor, we must re-evaluate Dalaran's defense system." Her fingertips ran across the remains of Sunwell in the projection,
"It only took a short time for Arthas to break through Quel'Thalas. Even the time it took to gather troops and prepare in the early stage was far longer than the time it took to break through High Elf's defense line - especially with the help of traitors within the elves."
Antonidas waved his hand gently, and the image dissipated into dots of blue light. "My child, you are too anxious. Dalaran's defense system is completely different from the ancient magic that the elves rely on."
He walked slowly to the window, and the violet barrier circulated over the city. "Our protection is based on the ever-changing Arcane matrix, not fixed runes."
"But there are weaknesses in any defense!" Jaina took a step forward, and the staff made a crisp sound on the ground, "Kel'Thuzad was once a member of Dalaran, and he knows our defense system well."
The old mage turned around, his robe drawing an elegant arc behind him. "Because of this, we have developed a new tactic." A hint of cunning flashed in his eyes, "Follow me."
The test site is located in Dalaran's confidential area. Behind the heavy lead door is a circular venue shrouded in multiple barriers. Jaina was surprised to find that the people present were not High Mage, but a group of young apprentices wearing trainee robes.
"This is."
"Future." Antonidas smiled and signaled the experiment to begin.
Six apprentices lined up in a row, each holding a crystal clear blue ice cube in their hands. Jaina was keenly aware of the dangerous energy contained in the ice cube.
"Nitroglycerin Bomb," the old mage explained, "An improved version based on your formula. It is completely stable when kept frozen at low temperatures."
"Have you found the best formula?" Jaina asked curiously.
"Well, with the strong acid you supplied and the more than a thousand kinds of greases collected by Dalaran, we tested the optimal ratio and were able to produce Nitroglycerin explosives in large quantities. But they are unstable and very easy to self-destruct."
"But combined with the temperature control you mentioned, as long as the glycerin is frozen at low temperatures, the stability will be greatly improved and it can be distributed to magic apprentices. It will greatly enhance the combat effectiveness."
The old mage said very proudly, then waved to the waiting apprentices and ordered the demonstration to begin.
Following the order, the apprentices performed the most basic Mage Hand at the same time. The frozen liquid slowly rose into the air, and then quickly flew through a beautiful parabola to the target area a hundred meters away.
"Thawing technique." Antonidas said softly.
The simplest frost reversal spell was cast simultaneously. In an instant, six dazzling fireballs exploded in the distance, and the shock wave made the entire test site tremble. Jaina had to put up a shield to block the flying gravel.
"A strategic weapon that can be controlled by ordinary apprentices." The old mage said with pride in his voice, "The longest range can reach hundreds of meters, with an error of no more than five meters. We have deployed 300 launch points outside the city."
"Each launch point is equipped with five apprentices, who are on duty in shifts." The old mage's voice penetrated the smoke, "Three hundred of these points are enough to turn any army into ashes before approaching the city wall."
"But the number of Undead is so huge, just relying on these apprentices and glycerin may not be enough, right?" Jaina stared at the still burning target area, frowning.
Antonidas said calmly, "Don't worry, I've considered it all. Glyph Bomb has stockpiled hundreds of tons and is still producing it every day. The city has also set up additional Holy Light Matrix barriers."
"Holy Light?" Jiru Anna wondered, "Has Dalaran already cracked Holy Light?"
"It's not a crack, but it has completed Arcane's simulation of Holy Light's damage to Undead. It's double insurance." Antonidas guided her to the heights of Mage Tower and looked at the looming golden light curtain at the edge of the city.
"Holy Light Matrix will burn any undead creature. Arthas and his Scourge can't even touch the city wall. Even if a few strong ones break through the city wall, Glycerin will teach them to be a good person."
Dalaran's defense was indeed watertight, and Jaina had nothing to say.
On the way back, Jaina noticed that there were many new crystal columns on both sides of the street, and light blue liquid was flowing inside each column.
"This is the whole city Arcane Defense Net," the old mage explained along her line of sight, "Even in the worst case scenario, we can turn the whole city into a death trap."
Pandaria, Emerald Forest Beach.
"Nitroglycerin?" Deren raised his head from the bomb shell, and the wrench in his hand fell to the ground. "Did those Dalaran fanatical mages really do it?"
Jaina sat tiredly by the workbench, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the texture of the tabletop. "Instructor Antonidas is very confident. This new tactic is combined with Holy Light Matrix's anti-Undead barrier."
"Wait," Deren suddenly interrupted her, "Holy Light Matrix? Anti-Undead barrier? They are all based on the power of Holy Light, right?"
"Yes, Dalaran has been secretly studying the Holy Light power of Priest and Paladin over the years."
Deren's expression instantly became weird. He walked quickly towards the map on the wall and poked his finger at Lordaeron's position. "Arthas·Menethil, former Silver Hand Paladin, Uther's most proud disciple."
He turned to Jaina, "Do you think there is anyone in the world who knows Holy Light better than him?"
Jaina's pupils suddenly shrank. Memories came flooding back - the scene where Arthas used Holy Light in Stratholme church, his horrifyingly accurate control of the holy seal.
"No" she stood up suddenly and knocked over the teacup on the table, "I have to go back and warn them!"
Deren grabbed her wrist. "Calm down, ma'am. What are you going to say when you go back now? 'My Tactical Advisor thinks there's something wrong with your defenses'? Do they know who I am? A peasant without magic?"
Jaina was embarrassed and defended. "You are the most intelligent human being I have ever seen."
Deren shook his hand. "It's useless, Dalaran's mage doesn't have his nostrils turned upward."
Hearing this, Jaina's face turned cold. Deren came to his senses this time and included her in it. He smiled awkwardly. He thought about it and came up with an idea, "Do you still remember the last time Vereesa met the red-haired mage Rhonin?"
"Yeah!" Jaina nodded.
"Rhonin's mentor, Krasus, is a senior member of Kirin Tor's council. You should know him, right?"
"Yeah!" Jaina continued to nod.
"The adventure between Vereesa and Rhonin was during the Second War period, when they rescued the imprisoned Red Dragon Queen from Grim Batol Dragonmaw Orc. It was Alexstrasza who came to us last time, and Krasus was also involved."
Jaina thought for a while, "I seem to have heard rumors about it. But I was still young at that time and I don't know the specific events."
Deren no longer concealed it. "Krasus is one of the spouses of Alexstrasza. He is a Red Dragon."
First update, there will be another update at 6pm.