Arrival in Dalaran

Large-scale teleportation arrays are usually kept powered down and are managed by dedicated personnel.

Only when a transit is required are energy crystals inserted into the array.

Before initiating the transfer, one must use a small communication device to confirm with the operators at the destination array.

The array at the destination must be activated by the personnel on that side before the transfer can proceed.

The entire process is quite complex, cumbersome, and time-consuming.

This is standard practice; if the primary teleportation array were kept active at all times, the constant energy consumption would be astronomical, and the prolonged state of activation would place a heavy burden on the array, making it prone to damage.

Secondly, this is a necessary security measure. After all, if anyone could teleport at will, enemies could simply pinpoint the coordinates and teleport directly inside to launch a surprise attack from within.

Therefore, only activating the array when needed and performing identification with the other side prevents anyone from infiltrating via teleportation.

Regardless, the teleportation station has a dedicated lounge where Karen and his group can rest and wait, complete with fresh fruit and refreshments.

This is the norm for such stations, especially when there is high traffic or a large number of destinations being serviced.

Sometimes, one must wait in line for the station's scheduling, and after every large-scale transfer, the array requires inspection, maintenance, and servicing.

Thus, a lounge is essential—much like a waiting room at a train station, though this is a VIP lounge, as everyone capable of using these arrays is a person of status.

For instance, the lowest-ranking members of Karen's team are Intermediate Alchemists, a status that is unreachable for the average person; even Drew was once just an Intermediate Alchemist.

However, if they were not led by a Master-level figure like Karen, they would not even meet the requirements to use this array.

Of course, the kingdom has other smaller teleportation stations for short-distance travel, which lack these restrictions and are located outside the capital city.

The capital city itself is protected by an anti-teleportation barrier, which is only lifted in a small area when this station's large-scale array is in use.

Furthermore, this is the only array capable of ultra-long-distance, cross-border travel, allowing for large groups to be transported at once.

Finally, the array was calibrated, and the station staff came to notify them that they were ready to depart.

The group followed the staff member to the teleportation chamber and stood amidst the magic runes.

The teleportation mages on the side channeled energy from the crystals into the array's runes, causing magical patterns to emerge and envelop the group.

Fortunately, everyone had used teleportation arrays before and remained still.

After a bout of dizziness, they arrived at the teleportation chamber in Dalaran. This ultra-long-distance jump was further than any Karen had experienced before.

Luckily, his strength had improved, so Karen only felt dizzy for a moment, whereas some of the weaker alchemists were retching violently. Fortunately, the station here was well-prepared and had trash cans nearby.

Returning here, he recalled his last visit, which was right after he had left Silvermoon City.

Back then, he was greeted with great fanfare: a group of High Elf dignitaries led by his brother, Prince Kael'thas, and a group of human masters brought by Archmage Staley Green, one of the members of the Kirin Tor Council in Dalaran.

Looking at it now, with only a lone representative from the Alchemist Association headquarters to greet them, Karen felt a sense of melancholy.

He looked around and noticed that Vereesa was still lingering nearby.

He said to her, "Ambassador Vereesa, we have arrived in Dalaran. Since we are here, let us part ways. You should go report your work; I won't take up any more of your time."

Vereesa clenched her fists in anger, but with so many people around, she could not reveal her identity.

She walked away reluctantly, all the while hearing Karen chatting with the Alchemist Association representative, asking about fun places in Dalaran, showing no intention of leaving anytime soon.

Is he waiting for me to disappear from his sight? Does he dislike me that much? Vereesa felt indignant.

Vereesa's eyes rolled, and she turned back, saying, "Oh, by the way, Master Drew, our Prince also instructed me to bring you to him as soon as we arrived. He has items from your mentor, Archmage Marco, that need to be delivered to you. Please come with me now."

Karen was stunned. What was going on?

Who was Archmage Marco?

Wait—Marco, Marco... isn't that the name of the alchemy mentor I invented for my own fabricated resume?

I didn't expect this young lady to pull a stunt like this.

Karen had no choice but to play along, feigning excitement and impatience.

He handed the team over to an older, prestigious Senior Alchemist, stating that he needed to leave the group and would leave the rest to him.

Why not leave it to the familiar Nelson?

Nelson was, after all, a greenhorn; his prestige and strength were far too low to lead.

It was fine while Karen was around to let them borrow his authority, much like how he acted as their teacher during the training camp.

Now that Karen was leaving, Nelson couldn't hold the fort.

After giving his instructions, Karen followed Vereesa. He had intended to leave the team and stay out of their business anyway, though he hadn't expected to be leaving with Vereesa.

They arrived at Kael'thas's Mage Tower.

Vereesa said to the two High Elf guards, "Master Drew, whom the Prince wishes to see, has arrived. Please announce him."

The High Elf guards saw Karen's human appearance.

They looked down at him with an arrogant air, their eyes filled with disdain.

It seems Kael'thas hasn't told them yet that the human Master Alchemist Drew is actually Karen.

"Wait here, and don't go wandering off," one of the guards said to Karen with a stern tone.

Then, he turned to Vereesa and said respectfully, "Lady Windrunner, please enter."

Seeing Karen get snubbed, Vereesa secretly made a face at him.

She then mimicked the guard's haughty demeanor and walked past Karen, leaving him alone to wait outside.

Damn it, those two guards used to fawn over him like lapdogs, practically begging to give him a tour of Dalaran.

To be treated like this now was infuriating; Karen considered whether he should make their lives difficult later.

And that Vereesa—she knew exactly who he was, yet she didn't give him any face at all. He really wanted to grab her, pin her down, and spank her.

After waiting outside for only a short while, Capernian, the high advisor to Prince Kael'thas, came out and respectfully ushered Karen inside, leaving the two guards to stare at each other in confusion. Could this human actually be some kind of big shot?

How could they not know of such a young and unfamiliar big shot, one who required Lady Capernian herself to come and welcome him? They had never seen him before!