Norton's Legacy

Duke had indeed learned that vast number of spells on the spot. Logically, there was no need for him to take these copied spell manuals back with him. However, seeing the old librarian's look that said, "If you don't respect magic, don't blame me for making things difficult for you next time," Duke surrendered.

Moreover, Duke had discovered something rather grim: the system sprite had its limits—it turned out to be something from the scientific side.

When it came to magic that science could explain, the system sprite was godlike.

Take the ice and fire spells from before. Not only could the system sprite help Duke instantly learn them, it could also immediately derive a vast number of metamagic feats, enhancing the spells' power across the board.

For categories that did not feel very scientific, or fields Duke was unfamiliar with, such as the Enchantment spell [Hypnotism], the system deemed them "unrecognizable." As for the Divination spell [Tongues], which allowed its user to understand what others said but not read or write, the system's response was, "Does not conform to the principles of translation studies. Unable to recognize."

The most unusual was the Necromancy school. The system directly informed Duke that it could not be used due to "a lack of necessary unknown conditions."

Duke could only carry a pile of spell manuals back to the dormitory the academy had arranged for him and study them bit by bit. He had basically memorized all the spells, and he could use them if necessary, but they lacked that stunning feeling of mastering them the moment he learned them.

Duke knew he was asking too much.

The old librarian had made it clear that the techniques for casting magic and the various metamagic feats were generally taught by mentors to their disciples. It was impossible to learn any true essence outside, at most picking up rudimentary techniques in public lectures some mentors gave to the entire academy.

If he wanted to learn, he could—but there had to be an equal exchange.

The problem was that Duke had previously rejected Medivh. Aside from old Norton, probably no other mentor would be willing to exchange magical techniques with him.

Most importantly, Duke suddenly realized that the academy's overall magical standard was not high. Apart from Medivh, there were only two Morningstar mages holding down the fort in the entire academy, and no spellbooks above the fifth level could be found in the academy library.

To learn more profound magic, he either had to go to Dalaran, or... Karazhan. Yes, Karazhan, Medivh's lair, which was currently controlled by Sargeras, one of the Burning Legion's big shots. As the Guardian, and the son and inheritor of the former Guardian Aegwynn, Medivh had a private mage tower in Karazhan.

South of Elwynn Forest lay Duskwood, while Deadwind Pass was farther southeast of Duskwood. Karazhan was located within Deadwind Pass.

That place was essentially Medivh's personal domain. Outsiders were forbidden from entering.

If Duke had agreed to become Medivh's disciple before, he naturally could have entered. He also would very likely have been swallowed without even his bones remaining.

"The limit of Stormwind Royal Academy of Magic is here... So how am I supposed to break through that limit?"

Just as Duke was feeling a little despondent, there came a knock at his dormitory door.

"Who is it?"

"Duke, it's me—Daniel. Itana is here too."

"Come in!" Duke, buried in a pile of books, stretched out his right hand. Arcane power flowed gently through his magical circuits as he performed a small trick.

Transmutation [Open/Close].

The lock on the door ten meters away opened at Duke's command.

Click. The door opened, and Daniel and Itana were both somewhat surprised to see Duke, who should theoretically have opened it, sitting so far away.

Daniel stretched his thick neck, seemingly trying to see whether someone else was behind the door or whether Duke had hired a servant.

"Daniel, it's just [Open/Close]," Itana reminded him quietly.

Daniel scratched his head with a simple-minded grin and strode inside. Since his huge frame took up two-thirds of the passageway, Itana could only follow in behind him like an attendant.

Raising his head from the pile of books, Duke noticed that Daniel seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I just realized that you, Duke, have a human side too. I thought you didn't need to learn anything and could just advance straight to Guardian Medivh's level."

Itana was the one who burst out laughing.

Duke could only spread his hands helplessly. "All right, did you come to see me because of Mentor Norton?"

They nodded at the same time. "Mentor Norton just finished his research. As soon as he learned you were back, he told us to come find you and tell you that 'the notebook has been translated.'"

"Thank you." Duke smiled. Then his gaze shifted to their robes, and his smile grew even brighter. Daniel had the symbol of two little books on his chest, while Itana had three. At the Royal Academy of Magic, these represented a junior apprentice and an intermediate apprentice.

The rank of an apprentice only reflected their aptitude. Only the number of book symbols reflected an apprentice's status. Of course, some people remained stuck at senior apprentice for a long time.

Facing Duke's gaze, Itana seemed rather embarrassed. "We can't compare to you."

"No, no. Since we came out of Northshire Abbey together, we should look after one another more. I'll go see Mentor Norton first. We can have a good talk later."

Not only did the straightforward Daniel beam with delight, even Itana could not hide the joy on her face.

It could not be helped. Duke had been attracting too much attention lately. First, he had killed Hogger, then he had opened up the Pearl Route all by himself. Even their mentor had hinted that they should interact with Duke more often.

Thus, they followed Duke to Mage Norton's private laboratory on the north side of the academy.

Only Morningstar mages or those above that rank were permitted to build their own mage towers within the academy grounds. Old Norton, as a Sky mage, merely had a standalone house with its own courtyard as his laboratory.

As if sensing Duke's arrival, the gates to the courtyard automatically opened to either side. The steps that should have led to the front entrance of the first-floor hall abruptly rose one after another, becoming a staircase leading directly to the third floor.

The moment Duke stepped onto the first stair, he suddenly heard a voice. "Hold steady."

The next second, the entire flight of stairs carried Duke up to the third floor like an escalator.

At the end of the staircase was a round window. Just as Duke was about to reach it, it suddenly spiraled open. Through the bright light, Duke saw old Norton sitting in a reclining chair, examining the notebook through a single lens like a magnifying glass.

"You're here?"

"I'm here."

"I heard you gained quite a lot in Westfall."

"Mentor Norton, do you need research funds? I can—"

Old Norton waved a hand. "I'm old. I've lost my drive, and I no longer need such worldly possessions."

At that moment, Duke sensed something on the old man that he had never felt before... the air of twilight.

What had happened to the old man?

Old Mage Norton raised his head, looked at Duke, and suddenly smiled. "It's nothing. I merely saw my own limits, as well as the potential within you. Even if I am not qualified to be your mentor, I still hope you can accept my legacy."