Human mages proudly proclaimed that Dalaran possessed the largest library in the world.
The elves would add, "Because you only have one large library."
Shane walked through the Violet Library. Traces of spatial distortion were everywhere, as though countless patches had been added and altered atop the original space, expanding its actual capacity more than tenfold. It had also created numerous loopholes, leaving drafts everywhere like a thatched cottage. To deal with that, they had applied even more patches. To Shane's senses, the library was like a kettle cobbled together from eighteen pieces of sheet metal with rivets—ugly and wasteful, but functional enough.
With his status as a guest lecturer, he could browse any section freely. He found large-scale levitation theory in the theoretical conjectures section, the book placed on a shelf in the farthest corner. Opening it, he found no fewer than eleven proposed theories recorded inside. Arcane research was a process of separating truth from falsehood; not every theory could be correct. Those before him had already done enough research. Shane only needed to stand on their shoulders and identify the most accurate conjecture among the eleven.
"But that would consume all your money, and it might not succeed."
"Mage Kel'Thuzad?"
Apparently, someone had arrived in the library corner before Shane.
"If you're interested, come listen to my class this afternoon. Consider it a return gift." The mage smiled and left. His voice sounded cold, as if it harbored schemes, yet his bearing was cultured and refined.
Only then did Shane notice Kel'Thuzad's signature among the several authors of the levitation theories.
After meeting Kel'Thuzad, Shane's classes gained one loyal listener. That chilling mage silently stood by the window, listening more attentively than any student. His gaze was like a northern lake, calm yet carrying a crystalline coldness.