Is This Power Word: Shield?

After the portrait was finished, Tirion Fordring and Daelin each took their wives to Caer Darrow Castle to attend the banquet. It was said that several nobles from Lordaeron were also vacationing there. Meanwhile, Jaina and Taelan were accompanied by Jandice Barov to tour the island of Caer Darrow.

Caer Darrow was an island in the middle of a lake, surrounded by clear waters and lined with lush trees. From time to time, a cool breeze would blow, sweeping away the sweltering heat of summer. It was truly refreshing!

Jaina stood by the lake, suddenly turning her back to Taelan and spreading her arms wide. As a cool breeze swept past, her skirt fluttered and her waist appeared slender. A small hand undid her hair tie, and her golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall, making her look just like a girl next door!

With her back to Taelan Fordring, she said, "It's so beautiful here! I really hope there won't be any more wars! I hope no one else has to die in battle, and that Mom and Dad can have time to spend with me! What do you think, Taelan?"

"No one likes war, and everyone wishes for their loved ones to be by their side! The reason my father and uncle go to war is precisely so that more people can live well! So that more people can stay with their families!"

"The years are not peaceful! It is only because someone is carrying the burden for us! In the future, we too will shoulder the responsibilities of our fathers! We will fight for Azeroth!"

Taelan added silently in his heart: Until we achieve victory, or until I return forever to the embrace of my mother!

Something seemed to have been touched in the unseen depths! The Light responded to him! A milky-white radiance lit up his body, and these overflowing rays of Light formed a transparent, egg-shaped shield around him, protecting him completely.

System Notification: You have finally clarified your path. Your understanding of the Light has taken a step forward! That is responsibility! You have learned Power Word: Shield: Use the power of the Light to protect a target, absorbing a large amount of damage. Cannot be used on the same target again within one minute.

Janice Barov was very dissatisfied with today's task. Why didn't her younger brother have to go and fawn over those little brats? She still had magic to practice! Especially Jaina, who was as proud as a princess! Well, she was indeed a princess.

Janice had her own pride as well. When she was born, her family was one of the most prominent noble houses on the entire Eastern Continent. Even the wealth of the Alterac royal family couldn't compare to hers! Her ancestors came from the ancient Arathi Empire. Her bloodline was noble!

As for the Proudmoore family to which Jaina belonged, they couldn't be considered royalty; Kul Tiras was more like a joint-stock company. Her family was merely a major shareholder! Jaina's status was not necessarily more prestigious than that of the eldest daughter of the Barov family!

What she understood least was why Jaina was always dragging that boy around. Every time she heard that boy call her "Jaina," she would be as happy as if she had drunk a jar of Lordaeron honey. What was so good about that boy?

Well, he was indeed quite special. There was a unique aura about him. It was the scent of the Light; staying by his side always felt warm! Moreover, he was exceptionally learned. By rights, his family couldn't be considered noble; his father only recently received his title. She had only ever seen this kind of erudition and intelligence in Prince Arthas Menethil of Lordaeron! However, he seemed more impulsive and had not yet awakened the power of the Light within himself!

She knew that some people in Dalaran called this little boy the "Light of the Holy Light." That must have been a name given to him by his mentor, Krasus. At the time, she had scoffed at it; many noble families would create hype for their important heirs, calling them magic geniuses or children of the Light and so on. Like Jaina, for instance!

In order to have Jaina study under Antonidas, her father had visited Dalaran many times.

(Daelin: That's really not it! I actually...)

Now that she saw the Power Word: Shield on Taelan, she believed it! He was a natural spellcaster. No wonder Jaina was always clinging to him, and why she had been so impolite earlier by getting herself included in the Fordring family portrait.

The role of a powerful Paladin on the battlefield was incomparable to that of any number of mages and warriors! Their powerful auras could cover a vast battlefield, providing buffs to the soldiers. Furthermore, Paladin was an advanced class! This Taelan's base class was not just a Warrior; he was also a Priest.

However, she did not agree with Taelan's words. Her family had not betrayed the Alliance! Why should they be treated this way?

Jandice Barov was lost in her own thoughts when she heard Jaina's happy laughter: "Taelan, I think you should become a Priest. A Priest who has mastered Power Word: Shield could become a Bishop!"

Her large eyes blinked, and she suddenly asked, "Is there snow on that high mountain over there? What is that place called?"

Jandice really didn't want to tell her! She felt she was so noisy!

Taelan Fordring, however, said, "That place is called Chillwind Point. That mountain is called Aerie Peak. Because of its high altitude, it is covered in snow all year round. It connects Caer Darrow and the Hinterlands, and..."

"And what else?"

Taelan Fordring glanced at Jandice, and seeing she had no reaction, he continued, "It also connects to Alterac."

Jaina wouldn't let Jandice get away with ignoring her: "Isn't Alterac the domain of Ogres and Orcs now?"

Taelan Fordring didn't respond to that. He had only recently learned that Jaina also had a sharp, teasing side.

Seeing that Taelan Fordring didn't say anything, Jaina knew he never picked at people's scars. She suddenly remembered wanting to go bear hunting yesterday!

She suddenly said, "Let's go bear hunting!"

Taelan Fordring said, "Are there bears to hunt here? Besides, that mountain looks close, but it's actually very far! It would take a long time to walk there. It's too close to Alterac, and it's not very safe! However, there are bears in the forest near the farm on the other side." He remembered that there were no bears to hunt at Chillwind Point, only someone who wanted to hunt his brother.

Jaina took a wooden staff out of the small red bag at her waist and put on her "Gentleman's Formal Wear." She also changed into a pair of boots suitable for the wilderness. Then she said, "I always carry my equipment. My father says it's better to be prepared than sorry!"

Hmm! That was very soldier-like! Tirion had said the same thing! He changed out of the formal wear that felt so restrictive, put on a set of light armor, and took out his shield and longsword. He slung the Dragon Codex diagonally across his back! In an instant, he became a standard Paladin! The kind that carried a book! It was a pity he wasn't holding the Hammer of the Naaru.

Janice looked at the two of them, speechless. Were their thought processes really that eccentric? They were just talking and now they wanted to go hunting! However, nobles all liked to hunt—half for leisure, half to show off their martial prowess. Moreover, they would distribute the meat to the tenants, and if they hunted some magical creatures, it would also be a large sum of income!

Young people were full of ideals and drive; they wouldn't consider the dangers or the gains and losses. They would try to do whatever they thought of! And the reason Taelan didn't oppose Jaina's suggestion was that he wanted to use a bear, an animal full of raw power, to test his new ability!

No sooner said than done! The three of them crossed the bridge. Taelan didn't choose Chillwind Point. That side was too close to Alterac; if a two-headed Ogre charged out, they would be the ones on the menu for dinner!

But as for the beasts in the forest, Taelan was fully confident he could handle them! He was feeling a bit overconfident himself!

This is the first round of the trial update. I'm updating early; I revised this while on the subway to work, and I hope everyone can help take a look. Also, please cast any recommendation tickets or monthly tickets you have. Many thanks for the support.