Parting

Tomorrow, Taelan would say goodbye to Dalaran, and he was very happy about it!

After all, he hadn't had to endure his mother's nagging for many days! Jaina, however, didn't feel the same way. She'd been pouting ever since she got up that morning. Seeing his daughter like that, Daelin knew she didn't want Taelan to leave. After all, she didn't have many playmates she got along with. If only she could get along with Fenna!

Daelin knew the time wasn't right yet. Jaina was still too young. If she let something slip, it would cause a lot of trouble.

He could only change his plans for the day and spend all of it with his daughter.

He'd better see that old coot Fordring off first! That kid who could say, "One man's hero is another man's enemy," was much more likable than him. If only he were my son...

The four of them soon met up and had breakfast together. Tirion Fordring took his son to say goodbye first to Antonidas, then to Archmage Krasus. Tirion also invited the latter to visit Hearthglen sometime.

Jaina held Taelan's hand as they walked along the streets of Dalaran. Pouting, she said, "Taelan! Remember to write to me when you get back to Hearthglen!"

Taelan Fordring said, "I will! You take care, too. In another year or two, I'll come to Dalaran to study."

Jaina said, "Dad told me that Uncle Tirion Fordring invited him to spend the summer at Caer Darrow. You'll be there, right?"

"I will!"

After all, that famous oil painting hadn't been painted yet!

The group reached Dalaran's main gate, where a tall High Elf woman was waiting. She was none other than Prince Kael'thas's special envoy, the Astromancer Solarian!

Taelan Fordring's strongest impression of her came from that Mage-class Legendary card in Hearthstone.

Everyone called her "wifey." A 3-mana 3/2 with Spell Damage +1 and a Deathrattle: shuffle an Ultimate Solarian into your deck. By then, she'd lost her lovely appearance and fallen into the Void.

After they met, Solarian first conveyed Prince Kael'thas's regards to Tirion Fordring. Then she greeted Taelan Fordring. After that, she stood beside Taelan and fell silent, waiting for everyone to say their goodbyes.

Jaina made Taelan promise again that they'd write to each other regularly, while Daelin chatted with Tirion about the recent situation at the Orc Internment Camp.

King Terenas had raised taxes to cover the cost of the Orc Internment Camp. The other kingdoms were strongly opposed. Just as Taelan Fordring had said, Gilneas's king, Genn Greymane, was the first to speak out.

Terenas was a seasoned politician. He hadn't built the Orc Internment Camp for the orcs' sake. He'd done it to bring the other nations to their knees and unite Lordaeron!

As a result, he'd succeeded in dismantling Alterac and breaking Stromgarde apart! The Barov family had suffered the most! After all, Perenolde had brought it on himself!

Terenas was about to succeed, but he'd forgotten that what rose to great heights must fall. Everything came at a price! The cost of the Orc Internment Camp kept rising, and one orc clan continued to resist, attacking Lordaeron from time to time. This had left Terenas in an impossible position! It was one thing to dig a pit for Trollbane, and he didn't care about burying the Barovs, either. But now the one about to be buried was a Menethil!

Taelan had left, leaving Jaina alone. Standing at Dalaran's gate, she watched the passersby, then glanced at the beautiful spires scattered throughout the city. Suddenly, the place didn't seem so beautiful anymore!

It turned out that the scenery itself didn't matter. The right person was the only scenery you needed!

"Dad! I want to go back to Kul Tiras! Let's leave right now!"

The journey back was much easier. The lawmen had been given a thorough dressing-down after Tirion Fordring's "report." Lordaeron wolves, giant bears, and Forest Trolls had all suffered for it.

These past few days had felt like an eternity to Karandra! With her dear son gone, she couldn't even get a good night's sleep. She felt empty all day long, and she didn't even know if Taelan's amnesia had been cured. When she finally saw her son and husband return, her heart, which had been in her throat the whole time, finally settled.

She hugged her son and fussed over him, completely ignoring Old Fordring and Grand Astromancer Solarian standing off to the side. It wasn't until later, when her son mentioned his tutor, that she greeted Solarian.

Once they got home and enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, the family chatted in the living room before retiring early. By then, Karandra had already arranged a place for Solarian to stay. She would be in the room next to Taelan's, making it convenient for her to teach him Thalassian.

Starting the next day, Taelan Fordring got up early and began his studies after exercising. That was when he learned the High Elves had their own language textbooks! He could simply follow the lessons in order! At his request, he also learned the Occultism he'd been dreaming of. This so-called Occultism wasn't about spooky, mysterious things. It was really a term for the study of energy and the principles behind its use. Its main subject was similar to the advanced physics Taelan had studied back on Blue Star! And, of course, it also included the advanced mathematics that served as its foundation!

Sure enough, no matter where you went, you couldn't escape the torment of mathematics—not even in another world!

According to Solarian, once he began studying spell models, he'd need to learn solid geometry, and advanced magic would involve calculating energy levels. All right! Taelan Fordring could only say that he'd been pretty good at math, and that Nephalem were born spellcasters! (I have a system, and I'm proud of it!)

"Ding! Shameless!"

Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye. Taelan Fordring gained an entirely new understanding of Thalassian! (The system had finished analyzing Thalassian.)

Ding! You've learned Thalassian!

You've mastered intermediate Occultism!

You've mastered advanced mathematics! (I thought you said you were pretty good at math.)

Occultism (Intermediate): You can now control your own energy skillfully and just barely sense changes in the energy around you! (Dragon Codex upgraded by 1 level.)

The Dragon Codex was practically an artifact! Thank you, my mentor! You'll definitely live another thousand years!

Congratulations! You've reached level 10! You've gained 2 skill points. You now have 7 skill points.

You've reached level 10 and become a hero. Please check your new character screen.

A powerful force welled up inside Taelan Fordring. He felt as if the whole world had changed! He could now sense the flow of energy around him. This was the power radiating from Azeroth's World Soul. It entered Taelan's body and changed him every moment, making him stronger and stronger!

He sensed several powerful clusters of energy. He knew they represented several mighty figures. The strongest belonged to his father.

The one whose power was comparable to his was the Grand Astromancer living next door. This legendary spellcaster was actually a very gentle person! She cared a lot about those around her. She was just a little sensitive and wasn't good at expressing herself. She always cared for her friends in silence.

Over the past month, she and Taelan had gradually gone from strangers to familiar friends. She was amazed by this human child's talent, yet felt it was a shame that he could easily become a mage but was devoted to the path of Holy Light.

After getting to know her, Taelan Fordring realized she wasn't like most High Elves, who enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle. She was also a Leatherworking Master and worked as a Tailor on the side! No wonder that after she fell into the Void, she'd shouted, "I'll shatter your delusions of grandeur!" He didn't know if she'd said that to the prince she'd devoted her life to, or if it had been an outcry against and release of her anger at the unfair fate of the Blood Elves!

The remaining energy clusters were in Mardenholde Castle. They must have belonged to the Paladins and Priests of the Order of the Silver Hand!

Taelan Fordring let out a long breath. At last, he was a hero. The Hero Template greatly enhanced a character, so he hurriedly opened his character panel.

Everything had changed completely!

The third day of the Lunar New Year!

Another page turned on the calendar!

One less day of vacation!

Penglai had updated on schedule!

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