I heard Deren say that Krasus is a Red Dragon. Jaina was stunned when he heard this. "This is impossible, how could Kirin Tor be mixed with Dragon Race."
"If you don't believe it, I won't say anything!" Deren didn't like her either. She turned around and left.
Jaina quickly stepped forward and hugged Deren's arm, fearing that he would really leave. "Don't, don't, don't leave. I believe it, please tell me quickly!"
Onyxia next to him let out a warning snort! Jaina had no choice but to let go of Deren.
Deren withdrew his hand from Jaina, and he could feel the female mage's heart beating violently.
Deren sat down slowly and took a sip of water and continued, "You still remember the last time Alexstrasza came to us and told us that Dragon Race would not interfere in mortal wars, right?"
Jaina nodded. "Yes, what does this have to do with Krasus?"
Deren squinted his eyes and said calmly, "Then Krasus and this Red Dragon will be like his Queen and will not interfere in mortal wars."
Jaina looked puzzled. "So what?"
Deren stared at Jaina like a fool. "So Krasus is a signal light! Undead wants to attack Dalaran. If Krasus is still with Dalaran, it means that Dalaran can win without him taking action. In other words, he does not need to interfere in mortal wars."
"If Krasus is no longer in Dalaran, it means that he knows that Dalaran will inevitably fail. He does not want to interfere in the mortal war, so he can only leave Dalaran early."
"Ah--" Jaina's brain shut down. After a long pause, he stood up in a cold sweat, "This, this, what you said is logical. I'm going to Dalaran to verify it."
Deren stood up and made a "please" gesture. Jaina hurriedly opened Portal and left.
It's late at night, and the streets of Dalaran are filled with the soft light of magic lamps.
Jaina walked out of Portal, and the light illuminated her pale face. She stopped in front of Krasus Mage Tower, looking up at the extinguished crystal spire. In the past, this place always shone with the unique warm light of Red Dragon, but now it is like a cold amethyst, standing silently in the night.
The magic lock on the tower door shimmered, showing the words "out for research", and the date of signing was a few days ago - the same day that Alexstrasza visited their training base. Jaina's With her heart beating faster, she raised her staff in a strange way and cast a high-level tracking spell. Light blue light particles poured out from the tip of the staff, forming a vague trajectory in the air - pointing to the north, in the direction of Dragonblight Temple.
"As expected." Jaina murmured in a low voice, her fingers clenching the staff unconsciously. The night wind blew her blond hair, bringing a hint of chill.
The lights in other places of Violet Citadel are still bright.
Jaina lingered outside Antonidas's office for a long time, raising and lowering her fingers several times. Finally, she took a deep breath, knocked on the door first, and pushed open the carved wooden door after receiving a response.
"Teacher, where exactly did Krasus Archmage go?" Her voice was hoarse than she expected.
The old mage raised his head from the heavy tome, and his half-moon glasses reflected the candlelight, casting a strange shadow on his face. "Dragon research in the north, what happened?" Antonidas's voice was as calm as ever, but Jaina noticed that his fingers that turned the pages of the book paused slightly.
"Did he say when he would be back?" Jaina took a few steps forward, and the staff left a slight dent on the carpet.
"There is no specific deadline." Antonidas took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly, "Jaina, you have been acting strangely lately." The old mage looked at her through the lenses with his sharp eyes, "Is it the influence of those outsiders? I heard that you are very close to Ichijo Black Dragon."
Jaina clenched the staff tightly, her knuckles turning white. "I'm just worried." She avoided her mentor's gaze and looked out the window. From this angle, she could just see the dark Mage Tower of Krasus.
The old mage stood up and walked to her, gently pressing her shoulders with his wrinkled hands. "Dalaran has experienced countless storms, and this time is no exception." His voice was gentle but firm, "Go back and rest. There will be important defense drills tomorrow."
Jaina did not walk away. She bit her lip, hesitated again, and finally asked the question that had been lingering in her mind for a long time, "Do you know the true identity of Krasus?"
Antonidas's hand suddenly froze. The old mage slowly retracted his arm, turned around and walked towards the window, his back to Jaina. "What rumors did you hear?" His voice was still steady, but Jaina keenly noticed that his shoulders were tense.
Jaina considered the words: "Some people say that his identity is Red Dragon."
With a "pop" sound, the quill in Antonidas's hand broke. The old mage turned around suddenly, with a stern expression on his face that Jaina had never seen before. "This is not something you can guess!"
Jaina's heart sank. She noticed that her mentor did not deny it - this explained the problem more than any affirmative answer. She bowed her head and said goodbye, silently exiting the office, and Antonidas sighed heavily behind her.
After walking out of the teacher's Mage Tower, Jaina stood silently in the square outside for a long time. The night wind blew through her blond hair, bringing the laughter of the tavern in the distance and the aroma of toast. The city was still immersed in a confident atmosphere, and the mages walked through the square in twos and threes, discussing the latest magic theories, unaware of the coming storm.
Jaina looked up at the starry sky, Dalaran's magic dome shimmered in the night. This city she loved deeply, this magical city she thought was indestructible, was now in front of her eyes. But it is as fragile as a piece of paper. If even a Dragon master like Krasus would suddenly leave, if even a wise man like Antonidas is hiding the truth.
Her nails dug into her palms, but she felt no pain.
At dawn, Jaina returned to the training base. The morning fog on the beach has not yet dissipated, covering the beach with a hazy white gauze. Onyxia has already gotten up and is playing with the new Demon Expulsion Device. Seeing Jaina's appearance, Black Dragon returned to his human form and raised his eyebrows.
"What? You look very unhappy. You were looked down upon at Dalaran?" Onyxia's voice was filled with the usual sarcasm, but his golden vertical pupils were staring at Jaina's pale face.
Jaina didn't answer, and went straight to the weapon rack, picking up her specially modified wind staff. The Arcane Crystal inlaid on the staff sensed her magic power, and immediately buzzed and emitted a dazzling blue light.
"Let's start training. I feel like I'm in good condition today." Her voice was terrifyingly calm, as if she was talking about today's weather. "This time I want to complete the guidance at a higher position."
Deren emerged from the tent with sleepiness on his face and his hair as messy as a bird's nest ravaged by the storm. "Wow, who offended our Highness Princess?" He rubbed his eyes, but immediately woke up after seeing Jaina's expression.
"Dalaran is hopeless." Jaina said briefly. A small whirlwind had gathered at the tip of the staff, blowing away the sand at her feet. "But we can stop Arthas and make him pay the price. Save Dalaran from another way."
Onyxia whistled, and the dragon wings unfolded unconsciously. "Finally figured it out?" A dangerous smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, "Come up, little mage. Today I will show you what real dive bombing is." Black Dragon's scales shone with a metallic luster in the morning light, each one like carefully polished obsidian.
When Black Dragon was carrying Jaina up into the sky, Deren looked to the north thoughtfully. Magni came over and handed him a cup of steaming spirits. The unique aroma of dwarf spirits wafted out of the cup.
"The girl finally recognized the reality?" Magni's beard was stained with wine, and he took a sip first.
"No," Deren took the cup and raised a wry smile at the corner of his mouth, "She just found a new reason to fight." He took a sip and coughed due to the alcohol, "Sometimes a strong belief can make people keep fighting."
Onyxia's dragon roar came from high in the sky, followed by a huge crash. Deren looked up and saw Jaina's spell drawing a gorgeous blue trajectory in the air, accurately guiding the bomb to hit the target. The light was more dazzling than ever before, but also colder.
"She learns so fast." Magni said with emotion.
"She is closer to a certain historical moment, full of fighting spirit Archmage." Deren concluded.
Second update. Please vote, collect, and pursue the truth!