Mage

The morning on Cross Island, located in the center of Lake Lordamere, saw the Violet Citadel shrouded in mist, its towering spires glowing with a pale purple hue under the newly risen sun.

In the meeting hall frequently used by the Council of Six of the Kirin Tor, a young mage with dark circles under his eyes leaned back comfortably in an exquisite soft chair imported from Quel'Thalas, waiting for his teacher with a sense of boredom. After refusing a cup of coffee offered by a magical servant, the man pulled a small vial of stimulant potion from the inner pocket of his robe and poured a small amount into his mouth.

Kel'Thuzad felt somewhat irritable; his research into improving the Evocation School spell Frostbolt was at a critical juncture, and he had not closed his eyes for several consecutive nights. Yet, at this crucial moment, his teacher had insisted he come to the Violet Citadel for a meeting, leaving the young research fanatic feeling entirely out of sorts.

"Kel'Thuzad, I remember telling you long ago that you are not to consume such things for extended periods. You really ought to pay more attention to your own health."

With a flash of magical light, Antonidas, his hair and beard white as snow, appeared in the meeting hall. As the old man spoke his reprimand, he gently extended a withered palm. Under the influence of a spell, the glass bottle in the young mage's hand slipped from his grasp without warning and flew into the old mage's hand.

It was merely a simple zero-level cantrip, Mage Hand, but in the hands of Antonidas, who had already stepped into the realm of legends, it was executed with effortless ease. Kel'Thuzad had not even realized what happened before he found the potion bottle he had been holding had vanished.

"I know you are obsessed with exploring the secrets of the Arcane, but there are many times when we must learn to compromise. A healthy body is the capital for pioneering the path of the Arcane, and I hope that when you reach my age, you will still be able to conduct your research freely."

The old mage, acting like he was disciplining a child who refused to grow up, smiled as he issued an ultimatum to his diligent disciple. "If I catch you using the effects of this little trinket to stay up all night in the laboratory again, do not blame me for using the authority of the Kirin Tor Council to temporarily seal your laboratory."

"I promise," the young mage said solemnly to his teacher, though his gaze never left the crystal-clear bottle in the old mage's hand.

In front of an elder with such a wealth of life experience, the young man's behavior was far too obvious. However, it was precisely this trait—his complete indifference to anything outside of magic—that had allowed him to become a high-ranking mage capable of casting Seventh-Circle Spells at such a young age.

"I know what you are thinking, my disciple," the old man said with a wry shake of his head. "Do you remember what I told you earlier regarding the agreement between Dalaran and the Kingdom of Lordaeron?"

"I remember you saying there was something you needed me to do?"

Kel'Thuzad was extremely respectful toward the mentor who had taken such good care of him since his days as an apprentice; he bowed slightly, showing great courtesy.

"To be precise, it should be someone."

"Someone?" A trace of confusion appeared on the young mage's face.

"That is correct. I need you to protect the safety of Prince Alvin," the old mage nodded, raising a hand to stop the young man from interjecting. "Do not be so quick to refuse. For the sake of his son, King Terenas has offered an extraordinary reward."

At this point, the old mage deliberately kept him in suspense. He paused for a moment before continuing: "The collection of the royal advisor mages through the ages—I have always said you would like it. Of course, while performing the task of protecting the prince, you will receive financial support from the Kingdom of Lordaeron to conduct your own research."

"Very well, I accept," under his teacher's gaze, Kel'Thuzad finally chose to compromise. "Once I finish my current project, I will go to Lordaeron."

"No, you depart immediately," a rare look of seriousness appeared on the old mage's face. "Your destination is Andorhal. Once you arrive, remember to cooperate fully with Prince Alvin's actions."

"I am to cooperate fully with Prince Alvin? A child not yet eight years old?"

His teacher's words left Kel'Thuzad somewhat stunned. That he, a dignified high-ranking mage, would have to take orders from a child—even someone with as little emotional intelligence as him found it inconceivable!

"Do not underestimate that child; he is a true genius," the old man narrowed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "His unique ideas are something even I must take seriously. I suspect that is the same thought held by the one in the royal palace of Lordaeron."

Meanwhile, in the City Hall of Andorhal, Alvin also wore a look of surprise after being informed by Archbishop Faol of the news from the royal palace of Lordaeron.

"A mage from Dalaran?"

"That is correct. His Majesty the King requires you to 'cooperate' well with that mage's research on the Gnolls. This is the greatest favor he could grant, so do you know what you must do?"

The Archbishop's somewhat strange tone made the boy understand the meaning behind this seemingly suspicious order—to use the mage's name to distance himself first. If the plan failed, the one to take the blame would certainly not be him; this was an insurance policy his father had set up for him.

"I understand," Alvin nodded, catching the implication. "However, I would like to ask who this mage coming to assist us is?"

"He is... oh, he has already arrived."

Just as the Archbishop finished speaking, a young male mage appeared in the hall, accompanied by a Runic Circle flickering with magical light.

The old man narrowed his eyes, watching the magical light that had suddenly appeared in the hall and the young man standing within the circle, and whispered in admiration: "It has been so many years, yet Master Antonidas's teleportation magic remains as precise and punctual as ever."

"Your Excellency, High-ranking Mage Kel'Thuzad pays his respects."

The young mage performed a mage's salute to the old man, then turned to glance at the boy, who was dazed from witnessing teleportation magic for the first time. His voice was somewhat cold as he said, "My teacher sent me to protect Prince Alvin and, at the same time, to assist with his Gnoll project."

"I trust Master Antonidas's judgment. His disciple must surely be a mage of considerable skill. Your addition will be of great help to our plan."

Archbishop Faol nodded at the male mage, whose expression was not particularly pleasant, then turned to look at the stunned prince. "Alvin, His Majesty can only give you half a year. I hope that before the Harvest Festival, those Gnolls can bring us back good news, otherwise you know what the consequences will be."

"Of course," Alvin recovered from his envy of the mysterious magic and gave the Archbishop his assurance. "However, before the plan is implemented, I would like to ask Master Kel'Thuzad one more question."

"Master, may I ask if you have any research into Alchemy?"

The boy tilted his head to look at the mage beside him. On his innocent and cute smiling face, two chilling gazes made the young man, who often dealt with frost in his experiments, feel a chill run down his back for no reason.