Gul'dan Yanzu

As they walked, Jaina told Taelan about what had happened during the two months they'd been apart. After Taelan left Dalaran, the girl had insisted on returning to Kul Tiras. Daelin had been deeply hurt by it.

When Jaina got home, she told her mother about her and Taelan's adventures in Dalaran! Then she really did try to learn how to cook. The results were hard to describe. Aside from Stormsong Honey Glazed Loin, the best she could say was that her food wasn't poisonous!

Well, he could only spare three minutes to mourn for her future children!

After Jaina finished telling him about herself, she asked, "What about you? Have you been well these past two months? Have you learned Thalassian? I think you have a real gift for languages!"

The system said, "This great lord's talent for languages is transcendent! As for him, he's illiterate!"

Taelan said, "I've mastered the basics of Thalassian. Next, I need to learn Occultism properly. Oh, and we're going to Caer Darrow for a holiday tomorrow. I can't wait!"

"Yeah! Mother told me Caer Darrow is an island in the middle of a lake, just like the one in Lake Lordamere! I wonder if there are any Murlocs there!" It seemed Jaina was still hoping to pick the Murlocs' pockets.

"There aren't any Murlocs on Caer Darrow. It's the Barov family's private estate. The scenery there is beautiful, and lots of people go there on holiday every year. Caer Darrow's lady, Illucia Barov, is a mage, and her daughter, Jandice Barov, is a fairly talented mage apprentice. I'm sure you'll have plenty to talk about!"

He just didn't know whether Maricia, the soul scholar, had taken up a position at Caer Darrow yet! Taelan Fordring guessed she was the Barov family's tutor. Still, her abilities were nowhere near as impressive as his own tutor's!

Soon, they caught sight of the towering Mardenholde Keep. The afternoon sun shone on its white outer walls, lending it a solemn air. Just then, a squad of soldiers came out. Their leader was an Initiate Paladin, wearing gear Taelan Fordring knew very well: the outfit worn by the Silver Hand Recruit summoned by the Paladin class ability in Hearthstone. Seeing Taelan Fordring approach with a pretty young girl, he called out at once, "Hey! Good afternoon, Taelan!"

Taelan Fordring immediately returned the greeting with a knight's salute. "Good afternoon, Jim! Have you been back to Felstone Farm lately?"

"No. Lately, Lord Uther Lightbringer has issued strict orders. All the sheriffs have to train harder and regularly clear out the beasts and criminals in the area!"

Taelan Fordring thought, This is my fault, too! Jaina watched as the soldiers greeted Taelan one after another. He was clearly well liked by them. Then Taelan introduced Jaina to the group.

Jim immediately said, "Greetings, Your Highness, Princess of Kul Tiras!" Taelan Fordring promptly punched Jim! Then everyone burst out laughing! Jim said, "Taelan, watch yourself. Sally Whitemane came with Bridget."

"I know. Why should I watch myself?"

"Hey, don't tell me you don't know that whenever Sally Whitemane shows up, there's always a creature called Renault Mograine within two meters of her!"

"All right, you're right! But Renault's just a little too proud. I'll go easy on him."

"You don't know? After you beat him up so badly last time, General Alexandros Mograine was furious! He gave Renault a thorough dressing-down in front of a bunch of his men. Then he announced that Renault would be sent to the toughest wilderness training camp! Lately, the Trolls from Zul'Mashar in the north have been inciting the Forest Trolls to attack us again. He's been assigned to fight them."

"He's improved a lot after more than a month of fighting! You know Renault—he's competitive and has always wanted to prove himself to his father! If you meet again, he'll definitely challenge you!"

"I understand, Jim. I'll get along with him."

After saying goodbye to Jim, Taelan began showing Jaina around Mardenholde Keep. When they passed the prayer room, Jaina took Taelan's hand and asked, "Taelan, do you come here to pray every day?"

"I come every day, but I'm different from them. I believe in the justice and strength within myself. It's better to rely on yourself than to beg others! Rather than pray for the Holy Light's favor, I'd rather master it completely! I come here to quiet my mind and meditate!"

"You've already learned how to meditate? Looks like you've made a start in Occultism! I'll tell you a secret: I can sense the Elemental Plane now. I've already learned Frostbolt!"

"Really? Congratulations! You're a spellcaster now. Since you can sense the Elemental Plane, I'm sure you'll be able to commune with it soon and become a mage apprentice."

"I have you to thank for that! I helped you study in Dalaran, and it helped me a lot!

"Your book was more precious than any treasure. When I got home, I sensed the Elemental Plane soon afterward." It seemed this Jaina had become a mage apprentice earlier than her counterpart in the original story. Her fate had indeed changed.

As they spoke, they entered the training grounds! Since Archbishop Faol would personally perform the Baptism this New Year, many recruits hoped to get the chance! The training grounds were packed.

The most eye-catching people there were, of course, the children of the Paladin elite: Bridget, daughter of High General Abbendis, and Renault Mograine, Mograine's eldest son. The one who drew the most attention was Sally Whitemane, Whitemane's daughter!

It could only be said that the people of Azeroth matured early. They were also far stronger than people on Earth. For example, eight-year-old Taelan looked like a teenager. Meanwhile, eleven-year-old Whitemane already looked like a young woman. Youthful and radiant, she wore cloth armor and held a low-tier staff. She was already an Initiate Priest. Cheerful and outgoing by nature, the girl loved pretty clothes. Even in the standard Initiate Priest robes, she was the brightest sight in the crowd!

Priests in this world differed somewhat from those in World of Warcraft. In the game, Priests were all delicate spellcasters who needed others to protect them. Most were women, and in battle they used spells to support their allies. Shadow Priests were the exception.

But in this world, Taelan Fordring thought they were more like preachers from medieval Europe. Most of the Priests here were men, and they did indeed use staves. But they loved to convince people through reason—the physical kind of reason! They beat people with their staves. And it hurt like hell! Except for a few Holy Priests, they were all extremely capable fighters!

They were more like the team's main healers, with Heal and Power Word: Shield as their most-used spells. But they never hard-cast a big heal. Most of the time, they'd put up a shield and then rush in to clobber someone. Taelan Fordring guessed they were all Discipline Priests. Another thing worth mentioning was that most people with professions in this world were hybrids, with at least some abilities from other professions. Warrior skills were by far the most widespread, which was why Azeroth was full of Warriors. But a good Warrior was one in ten thousand!

Mages were the exception. Most studied from childhood, and once they sensed the Elemental Plane, they could quickly absorb its energy. So there was no such thing as a mage initiate or trainee. They started out as mage apprentices! Even apprentices could cast spells, though only level-zero cantrips or low-tier spells like Frostbolt and Fireball.

Once they advanced, they became incredibly powerful in battle! Warlocks were also a kind of mage, but they used Fel or shadow energy! They were an advanced class of Shaman or mage. The most famous Warlock at present was Gul'dan Yanzu, known as the Demigod Warlock! His fearsome reputation preceded him!

As soon as Taelan Fordring entered the training grounds, quite a few people came over to greet him. He was very popular! It wasn't just because he was the son of the Highlord of Mardenholde. He also had a magnetic personality! And he was naturally Affinity!

Time flowed like water; the past could never be reclaimed.

Time drifted like sand; the future was unknowable.

Another page turned on the calendar.

One more day of vacation was gone.

On the fifth day of the New Year, Penglai wishes everyone success at work and good health!

If you have recommendation tickets or monthly tickets, remember to cast them! Thank you, everyone!

Two chapters released together. Posted first, edits to follow.