Tarsis

A day and night later, the airship finally arrived above the vast lake where Dalaran stood. Through the windows, they could see the towering white spires floating in the distance, gleaming with violet arcane light. If you pressed yourself against the window and looked down, you could see endless caravans flowing in and out like ants. It truly was a city of unprecedented prosperity.

The airship slowly descended. With a slight jolt, it came to a steady stop on a marble-paved square. Lister followed Uther out of the cabin. When the crowd saw him, they instinctively parted to make way, leaving him both flattered and embarrassed. He lowered his head shyly and followed behind Octas as he stepped off the airship. Only then did the crowd close in again.

If one had to describe Dalaran in words, one would never find words fitting enough. Like arcane magic itself, it was ever-changing. Perhaps you had only just grown accustomed to the wonders of its floating towers when you would be drawn in by the peerless artistry of the elves. Once you adapted to the elves' intricate and resplendent works, the ingenious mechanical towers of the gnomes would open your eyes once more.

Here, one could find artworks and handicrafts of every kind. People conversed beneath magical fountains, whose water possessed an unprecedented freshness, as clear as crystal. The faint elemental aura within it was even more captivating. Only the spring water revealed in the instant winter ice melted could compare to it. A passing mage kindly explained, "Dalaran's water is drawn directly from the Water Elemental Plane. It is always the finest water."

Lister carried the heavy black armor on his back. It was his spoils of war, a gift from Joel. He had given the hammer to Uther as payment for healing him. This exquisite and powerful weapon had been forged by dwarves, and Uther accepted it without ceremony. Priests needed means of self-defense as well; a heavy warhammer was enough to teach wild gnolls to fear the Holy Light.

Nobo was fiddling with the longsword in his hand. Lister did not like such flashy swords, even if it had been made by elves. All he needed was the dagger at his waist and his slingshot.

"These are your lodgings." Octas approached with a simple ring of brass keys in hand. He had helped the new students complete their registration and began handing out the keys. Everyone received one, so long as they had paid the housing fee. Otherwise, they would have to sleep outside or figure something out themselves.

Thanks to Joel, and thanks to that gambler named Garithos. Joel had contributed 1,140 gold coins, not including a suit of full steel armor worth more than ten thousand gold coins. Garithos had won 2,312 gold coins and generously gave Lister 300 of them. Thanks to this gold, Lister finally had a place to stay. He took his key, then looked at Uther behind him.

"Where are you sleeping?"

"Anywhere is fine," Uther said calmly. "For the Holy Light shines everywhere."

"If you don't mind, you can stay with me."

"The Holy Light told me I would have good fortune after coming to Dalaran." Uther revealed a happy smile, but Lister felt it was the sly grin of a charlatan. He was beginning to regret his decision. "It seems that was indeed true."

He dumped the textbooks and miscellaneous belongings on Uther. As his roommate, he probably would not mind carrying a few things for him, and Uther needed those belongings too. At last, Lister let out a long breath of relief. No one would keep staring at him anymore. Just as Octas had said, humans came and went in a hurry. No one would waste time on such trivial matters. Everyone here was a legend in their own right.

Alex had not forgotten that matter. He swore he would remember it forever. It was unbelievable—Ebony Chill had actually resonated with a child, and far more strongly than it had with him. For that reason, he had specifically sought out a colleague capable of interpreting the matter: an elven colleague.

By coincidence, that colleague was Tarsis.

As many imagined, Tarsis was an exceptionally, exceptionally cautious mage. Over a mage's career spanning a thousand years, he had never made a single mistake—not even during his apprenticeship. That was exceedingly rare. You could call him slippery, cunning, or timid as a mouse, but you must never underestimate his power, especially in the field of defensive spells.

"So," the elf inwardly cheered, I only got involved yesterday, and today I'm hearing such explosive news, "you mean Ebony Chill likes... Lister more?"

Perhaps "adapted" would have been a better word. Tarsis deeply regretted it; he should not have provoked poor Councilor Alex so much. Alex was exceedingly reclusive and always liked to copy spell scrolls and study magic by himself. Such dedication deserved praise, but was learning magic really just for the sake of learning it? Humans were so boring. They never knew how to enjoy life.

Alex frowned. "You know that this staff came from the great first Guardian, Alodi. I suspect it likes Lister because he is also half-elven."

"It could also be because Lister carries Alodi's bloodline." Tarsis was utterly serious. No one understood the power of this staff better than members of the Council of Tirisfal. Alodi had used it to defeat countless demons. There had even been an idiot who believed that obtaining it would allow him to challenge that woman. Though he had met a miserable end, their clash had been the greatest conflict between Dalaran and her, and Ebony Chill's role in it could not be overlooked. "It may have come from the elven side, or it may have come from the human side."

"Yes, yes." Alex irritably scratched his hair. "So what am I supposed to do now? Ebony Chill no longer responds to my calls. It is as though it has died. If I did not know it so well, I would even take it for a fire poker!"

"If the little fellow were willing to study under me, I would gladly pass the staff on to him after my death. But he is unwilling to take me as his master, and that goes against the rules of our line."

"Yes, yes." Tarsis sympathized deeply. Ebony Chill was the direct inherited treasure of Alodi's line, yet it had now been spirited away by someone else. What an excellent joke. "I suggest you first obtain some of Lister's blood or another sample. I will use it to compare his bloodline against those of the elves. His elven bloodline must come from Quel'Thalas, and it must be of a very high rank, or Ebony Chill would not have resonated of its own accord. If we can find the source, not only can we solve your problem, we can also resolve the mystery of Alodi's origins. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Poor Alex took a sip of black tea and resumed his composed demeanor. "In fact, I suspect Alodi already knew his origins, but did not wish to disturb that side of his family. After all, as a Guardian, he had more than enough ability to investigate his own bloodline."

"Perhaps." Tarsis waved a hand. It was better not to keep the topic on the Guardians. That dangerous woman was not dead yet, and the current Guardian was her son. "However, your most urgent matter now is to choose another staff. Without one, it will not be so easy for you to deal with danger."

Alex left in an excellent mood. He had thought he could investigate the matter quietly, but cautious Tarsis, cunning Tarsis, timid-as-a-mouse Tarsis chose to report it swiftly to the Council of Tirisfal. As a raven flew away, he sat back without a care on his balcony, admiring the night view.

"So, why waste time?" He swirled the glass of red wine in his hand and contentedly enjoyed the freshly roasted rabbit. "There are plenty of people to worry about things for us. Enjoying life in peace is what matters most."