Awakening

He really had not expected those so-called Wild Gods to be so powerful. They had somewhat exceeded Patrick's expectations. He had always thought the Trolls' animal deities were pitifully weak, never imagining that the Animal Gods' divine power could also turn Spiritual Power into reality.

That meant Troll spellcasters possessed abilities similar to those of mages. Patrick thought of Zul'Aman's fifth boss, Hex Lord Malacrass. Even the Undead could not escape the Hex Lord's grasp, and Malacrass's Soul Drain had also been particularly troublesome back then.

In this battle, he had forced himself to use arcane magic beyond his level. While constructing the spell with his Spiritual Power, he had nearly been sucked dry by the spell model. Had Ellen not taken over midway and supplied mana in his place, he probably would have died there.

Using large-scale spells beyond one's level came at a price. When mana ran short, a half-formed spell would consume the caster's Spiritual Power, or even their life force and soul, as mana. Generally speaking, using large-scale magic beyond one's level was no different from suicide.

Patrick had only escaped death this time by relying on Ellen's vast reserves of energy.

His head was still a mess, aching as though it had been hammered. Patrick tried to get up and leave the bed, but his body would not obey. He could not control it.

[You still can't control your body. Your Spiritual Power is terribly weak, and you've even lost control of your arcane magic. The arcane energy inside your body is spilling out wildly.]

"All right..."

Patrick gathered his mind and entered a state of deep meditation. After this battle, he felt he had gained some new ideas for his arcane studies.

He relaxed his mind, slowly spreading it outward. Although this battle had greatly depleted Patrick's Spiritual Power, Ellen's help meant that it had merely left his reserves empty, without causing any serious lasting damage.

His mind began to spread outward, and Patrick sensed Alleria beside him.

"How much longer until you wake up?" Patrick sensed the prayer in Alleria's heart.

His mind expanded outward. In Patrick's mental perception, the outside world was shrouded in mist. He could only explore outward slowly, gradually dispersing the mist and sensing the elves and surroundings outside.

Feedback from his mental fluctuations told him that Hawkspear and the others were handing over their duties. Silvermoon City had sent new reinforcements, and the crisis at the East Sanctum had been resolved for the moment, but the troops committed to its defense would have to increase considerably.

Patrick's Spiritual Power began to surge. The arcane particles suffusing his surroundings began to gather toward his body. He felt the world within his sea of consciousness begin to take on color, like a black-and-white image turning into a color one.

An unknown amount of time passed as his Spiritual Power drew the arcane energy back. Even the energy within the ley lines seemed to be drawn toward him. Arcane energy streamed endlessly into Patrick's body, and his Spiritual Power had begun to recover.

Patrick observed his sea of consciousness. The framework of a world was beginning to emerge, and the mental manifestation of real things had already taken rudimentary shape.

He examined his consciousness. His mental reserves were nearing fullness, and his mind stretched outward to perceive the real world. His mana began to rise, the leakage of arcane energy had stopped, and he was about to advance.

"So soon?" Even Patrick himself felt a little surprised. How long had it been since his last advancement to the Fifth Ring?

Patrick did not force it. Things would work themselves out in time. All he had ever done was slowly accumulate arcane energy, study spells, and train his mind.

Having more or less recovered, Patrick got up and stretched his body, breathing the fresh air he had missed for so long.

"Well, good morning, everyone!" Patrick entered the East Sanctum's main hall.

"You're awake! How has your mental power recovered?" Alleria asked with some concern when she saw Patrick awake.

"More or less recovered. Who is this?" Patrick glanced at another, unfamiliar face.

"This is Baron Sunstrider.

He is leading the reinforcements this time. The two behind him are Lanaya Sunstrider and Valeera Sunstrider," Alleria said. "Your help made all the difference in this battle. The battle report has already been sent back to the Silvermoon Council. I believe the council will respond before long." "All right, then I'll head to the mage quarter in the tower first. I need some spellcasting materials."

He left the main hall and went to the mage quarter.

"Arcanist Patrick, you're awake?" Idonis looked surprised, then added, "Have you advanced?"

"Yes. I'd like some dreamfoil and kingsblood. Do you have any here?"

"Yes. I'll have an attendant deliver them to you shortly."

"All right. Thank you!"

"It was fortunate that you were here for this battle. Caidanis and I are very grateful to you." Idonis bowed his head slightly in respect.

Patrick sensed that the arcane energy within Idonis was very active. He was a talented mage. So the two mages who had entered the Life Forest with him were both familiar faces: Idonis and Candiris, two of the archmages who had overseen the Ghostlands War in his previous life.

After obtaining the dreamfoil and kingsblood, Patrick made a Mind Potion himself to help his body return to peak condition more quickly. As a member of a family with generations of alchemical heritage, he was already well practiced in brewing potions.

Once he felt recovered, Patrick resumed his arcane studies in the study. He had originally intended to go to Dalaran to seek opportunities on this trip, but had joined Alleria's troops along the way.

Having advanced to the Sixth Ring, Patrick kept his mental perception active. It was a good way to train his Spiritual Power. He did not want to waste time and continued to push himself in his training.

Back in his own study, Patrick began preparing for his arcane studies. He had barely sat down when a knock sounded at the door, and Alleria pushed it open and entered.

"You're the most diligent mage I've ever met. You couldn't find a mage to compare with you in all of Quel'Thalas." Alleria's praise was sincere.

The female elf sat down unhurriedly on the sofa. Her slender waist and midriff were uncovered, revealing the dimples in her lower back. She crossed her legs, raising one foot, and her snowy thighs showed beneath her ranger skirt, their fairness almost dazzling Patrick.

Patrick casually heated some water, brewed a cup of bloodthistle flower tea, and placed it before Alleria.

"What brings you here now?" Patrick asked.

The female elf picked up the teacup and looked at Patrick. "When did you advance?"

"During the time I was unconscious, I suppose. Although forcing the spell depleted my Spiritual Power, it also let me break through the restriction on my mana. As my Spiritual Power slowly recovered, I began working hard to restore my mana."

"Earlier, I felt as though the arcane energy was being drawn toward you. So you were recovering." Alleria looked at Patrick, her ears twitching gently a few times. "I've already applied to the council to have you serve as a special adviser to the East Sanctum and stay here temporarily until this campaign ends. What are your plans?"

"It's a duty I can't refuse, I suppose. The East Sanctum also has some knowledge I haven't mastered. Staying here for now would be a way to learn."

Alleria nodded in satisfaction, then rose and left.