Sunfury Spire!
Nearly two months had passed, and this was Karin's first time back. He suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of warmth and familiarity.
Just as he entered the tower, a voice rang out above him. "Karin, welcome back to the family!"
It was the Arcane Construct on guard duty!
"Mm, thank you!" Though the construct was a magical creation without a will of his own, Karin still replied politely.
"Also, Chief Librarian Tiffany asked you to visit her at the library when you have time after returning to the family!"
"All right, understood!"
"I don't seem to have seen you in quite some time!" Tiffany sat quietly in the chief librarian's seat, a book in her hands. A blue mage robe lay loosely draped beside her shoulder. She looked up as Karin approached.
"So, Mr. Karin, when do you intend to return those sixteen books you borrowed two months ago?"
"I'm sorry, Chief Librarian Tiffany!" Karin hurriedly explained. "I spent the past two months or so on a trip to Northrend in the far north!"
"Were you traveling, sightseeing, or going on some so-called 'adventure'? Or did you spend two months enjoying a romantic interlude with some female Elf?" Tiffany's sarcasm was merciless. "Mr. Karin, I had thought you were hardworking, unlike those low-ranking mages who spend their days lost in idle indulgence. Perhaps I was mis-"
Tiffany abruptly broke off, looking at Karin with an odd expression.
"Wait, the magical fluctuations coming from you feel a little different... don't tell me you've broken through to the second ring?" Tiffany exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes!" Karin nodded helplessly.
"When?"
"About a week ago... life aboard the ship was so monotonous that I can't remember the exact date." Karin answered honestly.
Tiffany raised her head and gave Karin a thorough once-over before remarking, "I really don't know how you manage it, little fellow. You never stop surprising us... by the way, what are your specializations?"
"Protection and evocation!"
"Then that's unfortunate. I specialize in conjuration and enchanting, so it seems I won't be able to help you!" Tiffany waved a hand, then reminded him:
"For protection spells, though, you can consult Brown-Robed Dana'an. She should be the most accomplished member of the family in that school, and she can usually be found on the fourteenth floor of Sunfury Spire. As for evocation, you should unquestionably seek out Instructor Kane. Few mages in all of Silvermoon City have a deeper mastery of evocation than he does..."
Then Tiffany added, "Of course, you'll only be eligible to meet them once you've broken through to the third ring!"
"Thank you for your guidance, Chief Librarian Tiffany!"
"Oh, there's one more thing, now that you're back!" Tiffany seemed to remember something. She took out a roster and tossed it to Karin.
Karin caught the red roster and asked curiously, "What's this?"
"A conscription order from the Silvermoon Council!" Tiffany said calmly.
"A conscription order?"
"Most likely, it's because of that spell you created that can counter Troll regeneration!" Tiffany answered. "The Royal Court and the Council seem to be preparing to launch a war against the Trolls. I've heard that all the Rangers in the Ghostlands are stepping up their training!"
"So I've been conscripted?" Karin hurriedly asked.
"Yes. Every family must send some promising apprentice or low-ranking mages to join the Ranger Squads and take part in this war! Instructor Kane thought it would be good training for you, so he put your name down!"
Seeing the worry on Karin's face, Tiffany added, "You really don't need to worry about your safety! The Trolls have been quiet for the past few centuries. In fact, after repeated sweeps by our joint forces with the humans, they lost the vast strength of the old Troll Empire long ago... besides, Grand Archmage Biluo Hua will be leading half the Silvermoon Council to Tranquillien. I believe it will only take a few days to drive the Trolls all the way back into the depths of Zul'Aman!"
Looking at Tiffany's confident expression, Karin could only write his name on the roster... yet a trace of worry remained in his heart.
Though the entire High Elf leadership was optimistic about this war, since the Trolls had appeared severely weakened for the past few centuries, Karin knew that ten years later, with the help of the Old Horde, Zul'jin would lead a Troll army that conquered Tranquillien, Windrunner Village, and vast stretches of southern Quel'Thalas, even pushing into Eversong Woods. Had Turalyon not brought the Alliance's combined forces to reinforce them in time, all of Silvermoon City might have fallen!
The Horde's aid had certainly played a part, but Karin judged that the Forest Trolls were nowhere near as weak as the Elf leadership believed.
Of course, Karin still supported launching this war! Even if the High Elves had to pay a somewhat greater price, it would be worth it as long as they could eliminate the grave threat posed by the Forest Trolls.
After leaving Sunfury Spire, Karin first returned to his home in Fairbreeze Village.
The moment he entered the courtyard, he spotted a familiar figure.
"Oliver, it's been ages!" Karin called warmly.
Oliver Sunfury was an old friend of his. Since breaking through to the first ring, Karin had rarely returned to Fairbreeze Village, so naturally he had seldom seen Oliver either! Oliver looked much thinner than before, and considerably more energetic.
"Karin, you're certainly busy!" There was a hint of envy in Oliver's words. "By the way, I have a few questions about meditation. Could I ask you for some advice?"
"Meditation?" Only then did Karin notice the book in Oliver's hands. It was the Beginner's Meditation Guide filled with notes that he had given him not long ago.
"Yes!" Oliver nodded. "Ever since you lent me this book last time, I've been working hard to study it..."
Karin immediately understood why Oliver had grown thinner. It seemed he had been working very hard during this time.
"Ask away, as long as I can answer..."
Many of the problems Oliver had encountered were the same ones Karin had faced during his own meditation practice, so Karin answered them one by one... it was clear that Oliver wasn't merely acting on a passing whim, but studying and thinking things through in earnest! Perhaps in just a few months, he too would successfully break through to the first ring and become a first-ring mage.
"Thank you, Karin!" Oliver said promptly once his questions had been answered.
"It's nothing. We're friends, aren't we... Oliver, I hope you'll become a true mage soon!"
"Here's hoping!" Oliver seemed to remember something. "By the way, Karin, when I came here a little while ago, I think I saw a carrier pigeon bringing you a letter?"
"A letter for me?"