Halor Kingdom

"I came from the world of Azeroth. Night Elves were the earliest race to be born into the world, and also the first to learn how to use magic. Ten thousand years before the First War, Night Elves had already begun using magic to reshape the world. Queen Azshara and the Highborne became obsessed with studying Arcane energy, and their reckless use of magic brought about a terrible disaster. We once... heh, the Highborne were the highest rank among the Night Elf nobility. Yet most Highborne perished during the War of the Ancients, and those who remained eventually became several different races."

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to recall that heavy past, so I can't tell you about that long process of evolution. In short, the exiled Highborne lost their powerful hearing and eyesight. They were no longer as strong as Night Elves, nor did they retain their high resistance to disease. They lost the silver-glowing eyes that shimmered with Arcane energy, as well as their violet skin brimming with magical power. Though they still possessed lifespans beyond the reach of mortals, they were no longer immortal."

"I am a Sin'dorei. In my world, we were not on friendly terms with humans. It was common for battles to break out the moment we met. But for certain reasons I cannot tell you, I do not have any particular feelings toward humans. So I will not take the initiative to fight." That was what Elufiel told the mage in the end.

Odovish snapped out of the story. He was astonished by this race so adept at magic, and he could also hear remembrance and sorrow in the elf's words. The downcast elf was so quiet, faint melancholy winding around her. Odovish suddenly felt that the elf was very far away, very far away... He hurried to say something, hoping to pull her back into the mortal world.

Yet before Odovish could speak, Elufiel spoke first. She smiled at the mage. "Mr. Mage, I also want to tell you that no one understands better than I do what Arcane means. It is what my race pursued throughout our lives—its danger and its wonder. No one in Kanado understands it better than I do."

The smiling elf was like brilliant sunlight, breaking free of the clouds' restraints in an instant and shining into the mage's shadowed heart. This elf understood Arcane. She could understand her! The thought began to take root in the mage's mind.

Only Odovish knew how excited she was. Elufiel could only see the mage's eyes grow deeper, nearly ink-blue.

"I will show you the truest side of this world." Not the superficial prosperity and peace, but the truth hidden among ruined walls and broken traces, beyond the Church's layers of blockade.

Elufiel blinked and said seriously to the mage, "May the Holy Light protect us."

"Holy Light?" Odovish was indeed interested in this word Kanado lacked. "Is it the radiance of a god?"

"It is not." Elufiel tore off a piece of bread. "In fact, no one knows what the Holy Light truly is. We prefer to think of it as a faith. All right, Odovish, don't be such a curious child. I'm your student, aren't I?"

Being called a "curious child" by an elf who looked like a young girl left the mage somewhat embarrassed. However, Elufiel did not notice the mage's expression. She was busily battling the food, and compared to the thick soup and bread, the roasted rabbit was much more to the elf's liking.

After the meal, Odovish told Elufiel where they would be going.

"Two months from now, a gathering of spellcasters will be held in Everlook Canyon, north of Moonglade. There, you will see many independent Arcane practitioners, and you will witness firsthand their attitude toward magic."

Elufiel nodded, then told the mage that she needed a room to deal with her robe. She could not survive amid ice and snow wearing such a thin robe without any enchantments.

Odovish then booked two adjoining guest rooms. Not long after Elufiel entered hers, he knocked on her door and handed her a bundle. "You need some native Kanado clothing. Such exquisite patterns are rarely seen in human kingdoms, and bright colors are even more synonymous with expense. Usually, only nobles and high-ranking Church officials can obtain them. Even ordinary wealthy merchants would not dare wear them casually."

Halor Kingdom

The Eastern Plains were the largest expanse of plains bordering the Green Forest, and the Halor Kingdom lay upon this fertile land.

A two-wheeled carriage traveled along the flat road at an unhurried pace. Driving it was an apprentice the mage had found from somewhere, named Gelin. When Elufiel first saw the boy in his drab gray cotton clothes, she could hardly believe he was a magic apprentice. He looked far too much like the child of an ordinary commoner—the sort who would take whatever work he could find to support his household. He indeed knew many things spellcasters might never learn in their lives, such as skillfully harnessing a carriage—rather than an apprentice who memorized magical principles and cleaned experimental equipment for a mentor.

The boy in gray did not address Odovish as "teacher." When he greeted her, there was only respectful admiration in his eyes, after which he began driving for them like an ordinary hired coachman.

Sitting in the carriage, Elufiel looked at Odovish curiously. "Is that your disciple?"

Odovish shook her head. "Not exactly. I never held a formal apprenticeship ceremony with him. Old Carl found this child as an abandoned infant in the Green Forest. His previous magical knowledge all came from studying under Old Carl. Later, Old Carl caught the Church's attention, and before he died, he entrusted the boy to me."

Elufiel fell silent. The mage had never told her anything specifically about the Church, but from scattered remarks, it was not difficult to tell that it was an enormous organization and exceptionally hostile toward Arcane spellcasters.

Seeing the elf lapse into silence, Odovish changed the subject. "On the way to the next town, I will have plenty of time to explain Kanado's customs and local ways to you. What would you like to hear about?"