Barov Scholomance Co., Ltd.

When it comes to the Barov family, Taelan Fordring has a few things to say; the fate of this house was twisted and bizarre. The entire process was filled with unfair treatment, stubborn resistance, shrewd planning, and foolish choices.

Speaking of this family, the most famous are undoubtedly the Three Beauties of Scholomance: Illucia Barov, Jandice Barov, and the lecturer and soul-weaver Maricia! Of course, many people mistake the mother and daughter; in fact, Illucia Barov is the mother, and she is the wife of Alex Barov!

The fate of the Barov family was sealed when they lived through the Second War. Lacking formidable military strength while controlling nearly one-third of the territory around Lordaeron was, in itself, an original sin. Not to mention, they were facing a mature and calculating politician like Terenas Menethil.

Why call them all calculating nobles? Let us look at the management of Scholomance Inc.: the foundation of this company was the Barov family's revenge against House Menethil and their choice of a new path, though it was also driven by a thirst for immortality. Kel'Thuzad, meanwhile, needed it to fulfill his mission of spreading the plague. It was composed of three factions:

The first was the Barov family, who provided the capital and the means of production. Members included: Alex Barov, Illucia Barov, Jandice Barov, and several experimental subjects who were no longer treated as human.

The second was Kel'Thuzad's Cult of the Damned, with members including the Herald, The Butcher, other academy students, and several nobles who had been blinded by the promise of eternal life. That is right, the nobles of Lordaeron also participated in the activities of the Cult of the Damned, such as the Black Widow Faerlina and the necromancer Noth in Naxxramas!

The third was the Gandling faction, whose members included the lecturer Maricia and Ras Frostwhisper—the human-form Ras Frostwhisper, of course.

Look at this distribution of assets: the Barovs provided the money and the venue, acting as the capital; Kel'Thuzad was the honorary chairman, responsible for providing personnel and technology; and Gandling was the CTO, responsible for daily management. From this, you can see that old man Barov was actually a master investor! He thought he had the game won, with his own family holding three votes. In the dungeon run, only after killing the entire Barov family would Darkmaster Gandling emerge to maintain order in the classroom. We could say that Gandling likely had a close relationship with the Barovs, and he and Ras Frostwhisper may have received financial support from them. Although the Barovs ultimately suffered a crushing defeat, the so-called immortality was a lie, yet Kel'Thuzad did technically keep his promise. After all, once you have died, you cannot die again!

Kel'Thuzad was the most black-hearted swindler of all. Others only cheat you out of your profits; he not only wanted the profits, but he was also aiming for the principal investment itself!

Looking at this structure, something seems off: what about the two Barov sons? Everyone knows that the Barov family eventually had two sons left, and the one who came to greet them today was Vildred Barov, who later belonged to the Alliance. Neither of these two sons joined Scholomance, and later, they ended up in the Alliance and the Horde respectively!

I have heard of people getting promoted and rich only to change wives, but never of someone getting promoted and rich only to lose their sons! Yet, neither of the Barov sons entered the management of this massive company. This is the wisdom of high-noble inheritance: do not put all your eggs in one basket! These two brothers stayed out of the fray, later joining the Alliance and the Horde separately. And Jandice Barov became the sacrifice!

There is no such thing as luck here, nor can one say they chose Jandice simply because she had magical talent. Old man Barov was not a fool; he just lacked the knowledge to realize how terrifying the thing he was facing truly was! In short, it can be summarized in one sentence: You do not understand!

Jandice Barov was the eldest daughter, already thirteen years old. In this world, she was considered a young lady. She was already a magic apprentice in Dalaran. This can be seen from her later dual-specialization in necromancy and her particular skill with illusions; she certainly possessed magical talent. And her card effect in Hearthstone is precisely to summon two 5-cost illusions. Taelan was lucky enough to obtain this golden legendary!

Under the warm welcome of the Barov family, Tirion Fordring and Daelin, accompanied by their families and children, entered the luxuriously decorated Barov Manor.

Taelan Fordring looked at the magnificent hall and could not help but sigh; this was the life of a noble. As for himself, even in the reception room of Archmage Krasus, he had never seen such a lavish scene. In truth, beautiful houses and high-end furniture are not worth much! What is truly precious might be a painting on the wall or an inconspicuous little ornament. These are the symbols of a host family's heritage and taste! Alex Barov personally led the group to the reception room and invited them to be seated.

While the adults were exchanging pleasantries, Taelan Fordring's private tutor, Solarian, who had been silent until now, suddenly whispered in Taelan Fordring's ear: "An acquaintance was just here."

Upon hearing the word "acquaintance," Taelan Fordring immediately realized that this was a world of swords and magic. Every spellcaster possesses their own unique mana signature. Mages have always looked down upon those who rely on their physical bodies—Warriors, Rogues, and even Paladins. Although they also possess powerful strength, in the real world, because mages master the occult and possess more knowledge, it is very easy for them to kill such people!

Hearing Solarian mention an acquaintance, he immediately focused his mind and activated his Energy Perception. He instantly sensed a powerful residual mana, the trace left behind by a powerful spellcaster who had just departed. Taelan Fordring immediately thought of someone. The beautiful Illucia Barov was right there, but it was certainly not her, and Jandice Barov was still just a magic apprentice. Since Solarian said it was an acquaintance, Taelan Fordring immediately thought of the Dalaran Archmage Kel'Thuzad!

He still belonged to Dalaran at this time, and Solarian must have met him. When Taelan had met him, he had not yet awakened his Energy Perception, so he naturally would not remember his mana signature. And during the Third War, he had colluded with the Barovs to found Scholomance! It was impossible that they had only just met then. Kel'Thuzad must have known about the Barov family's predicament and their hatred for the Menethils. Had he already been involved with the Barovs this early on?

Thinking about it carefully, this was not strange. A mage is a profession that can make a lot of money, but also costs a fortune. A mage's casting is not like Taelan Fordring's, who can generate the Holy Light himself and use it as he pleases. Powerful spells require not only incantations but also casting materials or magical equipment! Without financial support, how could one afford to practice magic? A great archmage must have his own industries and supporters!

It seems that the desperate Barovs and Kel'Thuzad were a match made in heaven! What comforted Taelan Fordring was that he had three legendary-level heroes by his side; even the Great Lich Kel'Thuzad, strengthened by the Sunwell, might not necessarily gain the upper hand! The current Kel'Thuzad had not yet headed to Northrend, so he should not be doing anything to him!

Taelan Fordring was deep in thought while simultaneously channeling his Energy Perception when a hand reached out from the side and tugged at him. He knew it was Jaina, as she had also appeared in his sensory world. Jaina had communed with the Elemental Plane, and the power of the elements had begun to strengthen her body. In other words, she had awakened! She could be considered a low-level magic apprentice.

He glanced at Jaina, and Jaina immediately said: "Sir Alex Barov is asking you when you plan to go to Dalaran for your studies!"

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