First Arrival in Dalaran

First Arrival in Dalaran

"Dalaran was a city of mages, protected by a magical barrier outside. Ordinary people could not pass through without permission. Anyone who forced their way in would automatically fall unconscious, and magical constructs would then throw them back outside..." Lost in his memories, Albert smiled as he patiently explained everything about Dalaran to the curious girl seated beside him.

"Can you drink apple juice in Dalaran?"

"Of course."

"Are all the residents mages?"

"Some residents served all of Dalaran. They did not know magic."

"You said many mages from other races studied there too. I'm really looking forward to it."

"Believe me, you'll be very happy in Dalaran and make many interesting friends."

The two chatted happily, question and answer, until Roderick knocked on the door. He had changed into simple casual clothes: a white shirt, neatly pressed dark blue trousers, and black boots. His ever-present longsword still hung at his waist. He looked more like a young master from a wealthy family setting out on a journey, lacking a soldier's hardness and that cold, unapproachable air. Remilia happily circled her brother several times. She had seen him in military uniform far too often.

"Dalaran is very safe, Roderick. Do you still need to bring your sword?" Albert frowned slightly.

"I'm used to it." He patted the sword at his side and smiled at Albert. "It's very safe, isn't it? By the way, how much do you know about Dalaran's Kirin Tor Council? Mage Morris seems to hold a very high rank."

"The Kirin Tor Council is Dalaran's highest governing body. It has existed for thousands of years. Nearly every high-ranking mage joins the council, and the six most outstanding mages among them form the Council of Six, deciding all of Dalaran's affairs..."

"Albert, have you ever considered returning to Dalaran?" Roderick suddenly interrupted him. "At present, the Guard's primary work is training. Having you handle the Guard's paperwork every day is not the most urgent matter."

"Don't rush to answer me. When Morris left, your eyes had already told me what you truly wanted. Besides, if you were in Dalaran, you could look after Remilia."

This time, Albert did not resist as he had before. His mentor's death had made it impossible for him to remain in Dalaran, a place filled with grief, and he was deeply dissatisfied with the Kirin Tor Council's conservative policies. "I'll consider it, Roderick," Albert replied after a moment of silence.

The three did not have to wait long. Roderick gently pulled Remilia to her feet as a silver ring of light abruptly appeared in the room. Morris emerged before them at once. "We can leave now. You may feel a little dizzy, but you'll be fine once you adjust."

Following Morris, the three entered the portal one after another. Roderick felt the girl gripping his hand tightly. The inside of the portal was pitch-black, without the slightest trace of light. They could not even see their own bodies, as though their souls were drifting through the void. In the blink of an eye, Morris's voice rang out. "Get ready, we're almost there." The next second, the three of them appeared in a vast square.

Morris stood to one side, secretly observing the three who had just completed the teleportation. There was no need to mention Albert. Roderick showed no panic at all, as casual as if he had stepped into his own backyard. Many knights had problems the first time they teleported, yet this knight before him remained calm and stood straight. He truly was extraordinary.

The girl, meanwhile, still held her brother's arm, but her azure eyes were already examining the surroundings, as though she were merely a tourist visiting Dalaran.

"Albert, this is the control crystal for the magical construct. It will take you to see Dalaran's major buildings,

Afterward, I will wait for you all at the Tower of Stars." Morris left the square after speaking. Beside him, a ten-foot-tall magical construct slowly headed east under Albert's control. Though the giant did not seem to walk quickly, its exaggerated strides meant the three did not dare stroll too leisurely as they followed behind at an unhurried pace.

"A very peculiar spatial teleportation technology. It somewhat resembles the spatial jump technology developed by homeworld humans in the first millennium, yet it is entirely different."

Roderick was somewhat shaken by this unscientific magical power. He continuously communicated with Astartes in his mind while observing his surroundings and admiring the achievements of humanity's pinnacle magical power.

Remilia, who had rarely left Southshore, was utterly captivated by this fantastical magical world. She tried her best to imitate her brother's calm expression, but the curiosity in her heart and her excited delight had long since given her away.

A human mage enveloped in a faint glow walked along while reading a spellbook floating before him. Before long, its pages turned by themselves.

Griffins occasionally landed on the flying platform behind them with piercing cries. Those mages summoned all kinds of flying pets and vanished from the platform. A series of clicking sounds reached their ears, and in the distance, a pair of enormous golden scissors trimmed excess branches from a tree.

A wondrous new world unfolded before Remilia's eyes. She opened them wide, afraid she might miss anything.

Like Roderick, Albert aimlessly looked over everything both familiar and unfamiliar. As they turned a street corner, the clamor of a market reached them. Remilia grabbed Albert with one hand and Roderick with the other, her large eyes sparkling.

"Then let's go take a look over there, Albert," Roderick suggested.

"Mm. This is Dalaran's central trade square, and there are many interesting little things here." Albert had regained some of his energy as he began explaining. Shops run by mages surrounded Runeweaver Square. At its center stood a beautiful magical fountain, spraying water rhythmically as the magic changed it through different colors. Remilia gave a cheer and rushed toward the fountain.

"Careful, someone's coming." Albert had barely finished speaking when Remilia collided with a tiny gnome girl.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I wasn't paying attention just now..." Remi helped the fallen girl up and apologized repeatedly.

"Oh my, you're so tall." The gnome before her had pink hair tied casually into a ponytail, and apple jam was still smeared across her childish face. She instinctively licked it with her tongue. "My apple pie!" The gnome girl, who had been full of energy just moments ago, instantly became utterly dejected.

"Are you hurt? I apologize for my sister's reckless behavior just now." Roderick hurried over and spoke to the gnome with sincere concern. Albert quietly chanted a spell nearby, and the apple jam covering both girls vanished completely.

Remilia felt a little embarrassed as well. Seeing a drink shop across from them, she ingratiatingly said, "Then I'll treat you to some iced milk. My name is Remilia Northumberland. What about you?"

Hearing that there would be iced milk, the gnome girl immediately smiled again. "My name is Kindi, Kindi Spark. I'm from distant Gnomeregan."

Roderick quickly brought two cups of milk to the girls. In that short time, Remi and Kindi had already sat together on a bench beside the fountain, chatting intimately.

"We live in Southshore. This is my first time in Dalaran. This place is really amazing."

"No wonder I haven't seen you before. My family has lived in Dalaran for many years. My father is responsible for lighting every streetlamp in Dalaran. I'm so proud of him."

"It's a pity we'll have to wait until night to see the streetlamps light up. Can you use magic? Does everyone here know magic? I came here to study magic too."

"Magic? Me? Of course I can." As she spoke, the gnome girl named Kindi took out a small wand. A cute five-pointed star was carved at its tip. She pointed it at the water spraying from the fountain, and a cold breath brushed across Remi's face. The flowing water instantly became a crystalline frozen column under Kindi's magic.

Seeing Remi clap happily, Kindi felt that all the suffering she had endured while learning magic had been worthwhile. She continuously traced patterns through the air with her wand. Before long, a butterfly glittering with silver light fluttered down onto Remilia's hand, its large wings beating gently.

"Oh my, Kindi, you're amazing." Remilia's admiring gaze made Kindi even happier. Seeing that the two girls could not stop playing, Roderick could only cough softly to signal that it was time for Remi to leave.

Reluctantly saying goodbye to her new friend, Remi was still savoring the happiness Kindi had brought her. She excitedly asked Albert, "Kindi's magic is so amazing. I wonder if I'll have a chance to see her again someday."

"All gnomes are naturally intelligent, and Kindi has considerable talent as a mage. At such a young age, she can already cast Frostbolt. She will probably grow into an excellent arcanist someday." Albert explained as they walked.

After that brief interlude, the three no longer had the mood to continue sightseeing. Following the magical construct, they passed through the Bank District and Sunreaver's Sanctuary District before reaching their final destination: the towering Tower of Stars.