Meeting Antonidas

They said that Karen, having just left Kael'thas's Mage Tower, decided to pay Antonidas a visit first.

Just as he was about to set off, someone called out to him.

"Master Drew, what a coincidence! We've run into each other again today.

Where are you planning to go for fun today?" It was Vereesa again. This ranger was seriously incredible at tracking people down.

But she was gazing at him with shining eyes.

She must have enjoyed yesterday's meal so much that she hadn't come to keep an eye on him today—she was here to mooch food and drink.

"Oh, it's the ambassador. I'm planning to visit the mage Antonidas today. Would you like to come along?"

"Oh, I see. We're actually headed the same way." Though she said that, Karen clearly saw Vereesa's eyes dim. She seemed very disappointed.

What did she take him for?

Karen looked at the somewhat flighty young woman, feeling both exasperated and amused.

She seemed awfully young and inexperienced—or perhaps her two older sisters had protected her too well.

He had no idea what they'd been thinking, sending her to follow him. That female rogue would have been a better choice.

She was cold and could turn invisible. He could simply pretend she wasn't there and let her follow him.

But Vereesa was like a little sun in front of him—impossible to ignore.

When they arrived at Antonidas's home, he happened to be there. Antonidas wondered why an alchemy master named Drew had come to see him, but, being a polite man, he welcomed Karen into his living room first.

"Hello, Master Drew. What brings you to see me today?" Antonidas asked.

"Well, I once read an article called On the Application of Blink in Combat.

It was very well written and gave me a lot of inspiration. You wrote it, didn't you?"

"That's right. After I advanced to high mage, I wrote down some of my insights while practicing the advanced spell Blink," Antonidas admitted.

"To be honest, after reading that article, I've been wanting to find you and have a proper chat.

I'm sure we'd learn a lot from exchanging ideas." In truth, Karen had only come across the article yesterday.

Yesterday, Kael'thas had told Karen that Antonidas had advanced to high mage and published several interesting academic papers.

So Karen had gone back and looked them up, curious to see what his old friend had accomplished over the past year.

Before the incident, the two of them had often discussed magic, and they knew each other's abilities very well.

The two spent the next while discussing and exchanging ideas about the article.

Fortunately, Karen had followed his brother Kael'thas these past two days and asked him a few questions.

Otherwise, the exchange would have been entirely one-sided.

Though Antonidas had only become a high mage recently, his fundamentals were already remarkably solid.

His theoretical knowledge was comprehensive. Antonidas was strong in both theory and practical ability, after all.

The breadth of his theoretical knowledge showed that his strength was solid, too. No wonder he was a genius mage; in just one year, he had already surpassed Karen.

Seeing that Antonidas had taken complete control of the conversation and that things had become entirely one-sided, Karen wisely brought it to an end and praised him. "As expected of Mage Antonidas. You're truly impressive."

"You flatter me. I never expected an alchemy master like you to have accomplished so much in your main field as well.

You're far better than I am," Antonidas replied, praising Karen in turn.

"It's getting late. Lunchtime is almost here.

I'll take my leave." Karen was ready to go, but before he left, he had to let Antonidas see his real face.

"Why not stay for a simple meal?" Antonidas offered.

He'd had a wonderful time talking with Master Drew. They clicked so well, as if they'd known each other for years.

Antonidas wanted to keep him around and talk some more.

He hadn't enjoyed a conversation this much with anyone in a long time—not since Karen had disappeared.

"Oh, I think I'll pass. I couldn't stomach your cooking last time," Karen teased.

"Wait, have we met before?" Antonidas asked, puzzled. He couldn't remember him at all.

If they'd never met, why did he feel so strongly that they were familiar?

Antonidas was beginning to confuse himself.

"We have. Of course we have. Heh heh heh." Karen elongated his face and spoke in a sinister tone.

He even let out a series of incomprehensible chuckles. He certainly didn't look like a good person.

Antonidas felt a chill run down his spine.

He broke out in goosebumps. Could this be an old enemy who had disguised himself to come after him?

Antonidas immediately sprang back, as nimble as a ranger.

He reached into the bookcase behind him, pulled out a wand, and instantly cast several defensive spells.

Karen broke out in a cold sweat at how quickly he'd moved. What astounding casting speed! The fellow must have a talent that let him cast faster.

His nimble movements, practiced casting, and smooth construction of magic all revealed exceptional magical talent.

No wonder he was such a powerful mage.

Thankfully, he'd only cast defensive spells instead of hurling an attack at Karen. At such close range, he might really have been hit.

Karen stopped playing around and dropped the Orb of Deception's disguise, revealing his High Elf appearance. "Hey, buddy. We've barely been apart, and you don't recognize me?

You're not trying to get out of all those mana potions you owe me, are you?"

"Karen? Is it really you?" Antonidas asked, startled.

"Of course it's me. If you don't believe me, you can ask around.

I've been staying with my brother Kael'thas these past few days.

I just came from there."

"It really is you! Oh, my friend, where have you been all this time?" After seeing Karen make a few familiar gestures, Antonidas recognized him.

He lowered his wand and stepped forward to embrace Karen.

"Easy, easy. We're two grown men. We don't need to do this." Karen broke free of Antonidas's embrace.

"I was just a little excited. Nothing else. Where have you been all this time?"

"I was transported to the Kingdom of Stormwind and spent some time quietly working as an alchemist.

The identity of Drew came from that time."

"You're incredible. You reached the highest level in a secondary profession in such a short time. We always knew you had talent."

"Right, right. That's why you sent me a pile of materials to practice making potions with, isn't it?"

"Exactly." Antonidas didn't deny that he'd exploited Karen's labor. "You finally broke through your bottleneck and advanced to high mage. Congratulations."

"And you, too. Congratulations on becoming a high mage."

"How about we see which of us reaches master rank first?" Antonidas suggested.

"What's the point of comparing that? If we're going to compete, let's see who becomes a hero first."

"Feeling confident, are you? Breaking through to hero rank won't be easy."

"I have complete confidence in both of us," Karen said firmly.

"You're right. It's settled, then," Antonidas agreed.

"All right, that's enough for today.

I won't stay to enjoy your dark cuisine.

And don't let my identity get out, okay? I still need to use this one." As he spoke, Karen activated the Orb of Deception again, transforming into the human alchemy master Drew.

"Of course. Remember our agreement." Antonidas saw Karen out.

"Keep this safe, and stay in touch." Karen handed Antonidas a long-distance communication device.

"Will do." Antonidas accepted the device and watched Karen leave.